Bids to Expand Abortion Access in States Target Provider Limits

Recent cases striking down state provisions barring mid-level clinicians—such as advanced practice nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives—from performing abortions have opened a new path to expanding access for people seeking to terminate pregnancies.

Suits challenging physician-only abortion laws could succeed in states with other protections for reproductive rights, said Rachel Rebouché, a nationally known expert in abortion law who teaches at the University of Texas School of Law. According to independent health research and policy organization KFF, access to abortion up to viability is protected in 26 states and DC.

Those that have already succeeded generally followed ...