Montana designs new hurdles for abortion clinics ahead of vote to protect access

HELENA — Montana is proposing wide-ranging rules for licensing abortion clinics under a disputed state law, raising a new potential obstacle for patients even as a constitutional amendment to protect access appears headed for the November ballot.

The proposed rules, released July 26 by the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, would set requirements for facilities that perform abortions for or provide medication abortion to at least five patients a year, excluding hospitals and outpatient surgical centers. Clinics would have to meet minimum limits for the size of their rooms and hallways, submit to annual state inspections, maintain written patient transfer agreements with hospitals, and be led by a medical director who is a licensed physician.

Helen Weems, a nurse practitioner who runs All Families Healthcare in Whitefish, one of three organizations that provide abortions in Montana, said the proposed regulations were unnecessary and would limit access to abortion in the state.