Federal Judge Eases Abortion Restrictions in North Carolina

A federal judge in North Carolina has lifted some restrictions in the state's abortion ban, granting a preliminary injunction to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. The lifted restrictions include requirements for determining and documenting an intrauterine pregnancy and performing surgical abortions in a hospital after twelve weeks. The judge stated that the ban poses a direct threat to constitutional rights and would cause irreparable harm. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic praised the decision, emphasizing that abortion is healthcare. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein also supported the ruling, criticizing the poorly written anti-abortion law. The lifting of restrictions comes amid a nationwide trend of states passing restrictive abortion laws following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.