Measure would suspend abortion doctor licenses

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Physicians who perform abortions would be prohibited from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House.

Under the measure, Oklahoma medical licensure officials would  be prohibited from renewing or granting a license to any physician who performs an abortion, except when an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the mother.

The House voted 55-9 for the Senate-approved measure late Thursday and sent it back to the Senate for consideration of House amendments.

A spokeswoman for a New York-based abortion rights group called the legislation “a new low.”

Amanda Allen, senior state legislative counsel for the Center for Reproductive Rights, says Oklahoma politicians have made it their mission to restrict women’s access to health care services.