We ain't in Kansas no more... oh wait, we're still there

Kansas avoided becoming the first state without an abortion provider by granting Planned Parenthood a licence yesterday to continue performing abortions under new regulations being challenged in federal court. The new rules from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment tell abortion providers what drugs and equipment they must have on hand, how big some of their rooms must be, and the temperatures allowed in procedure and recovery rooms. The department is imposing them under a new licensing law that takes effect today, along with these rules. Supporters of the new legislation say the new Kansas regulations would protect patients from substandard care, but critics say they’re burdensome by design and aimed at shutting down abortion services. Pro-choice supporters are suspicious of the licensing process because it turns out that Governor Sam Brownback is a pro-life (more correctly referred to as anti-choice) Republican and the anti-choice folk helped push the law through the Republican-controlled Legislature. I'm on the fence when it comes to the new rules, but if they are aimed at pushing the anti-choice agenda, then those rules, and the maggots behind them, should be served up with fava beans and a nice Chianti.