Pennsylvania Health Panel Approves Abortion Clinic Oversight Bill

Pennsylvania lawmakers moved to tighten restrictions on abortion clinics Monday in the wake of a slew of problems, including unsafe and unsanitary conditions, at one clinic run by a doctor who is now accused of murder, the Scranton Times Tribune reported Tuesday.

The state House Health Committee approved a bill Monday that would require abortion clinics be regulated at the same level as other medical facilities.

Gov. Tom Corbett

The legislation is a response to a high-profile criminal investigation involving a Philadelphia abortion clinic, the newspaper reported.

A Philadelphia grand jury report in January uncovered unsafe and unsanitary conditions at the clinic which had escaped inspection by state officials for years.

The report led to the filing of murder charges against Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who ran the clinic.

Gov. Tom Corbett in February ordered state nurses to conduct inspections on both an annual and random basis of abortion clinics and set new requirements for handling complaints about medical conditions at clinics.