In a 5-4 ruling, Supreme Court rules Louisiana abortion statute is unconstitutional

In a 5-4 ruling today, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing a concurring opinion, the Supreme Court blocked a Louisiana abortion law.

 The law barred doctors from performing the procedure unless they had admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.

According to those against the law, it was not medically necessary and was a veiled attempt to restrict abortion. They said that it was highly difficult for doctors to get such privileges and the law would result in fewer abortion doctors in the state, therefore limiting women's access to abortion.

Those for the law said it increased safety for women getting abortions, making it easier for them to be seen in an emergency room in the case of complications.

The majority opinion was penned by Justice Stephen Breyer, who wrote that the majority "consequently hold that the Louisiana statute is unconstitutional."