Edwards passes the abortion buck to Landry
BATON ROUGE - Lucrative contracts for outside lawyers handling the state's defense of a law requiring abortion doctors to have certain admitting privileges at area hospitals will be supervised by the State Attorney General.
The AG will take responsibility from the Department of Health and Hospitals, which had been handling supervision of the cases under the Jindal administration. Governor John Bel Edwards announced the change Tuesday evening after a federal judge found the law unconstitutional.
“We have agreed to let the Attorney General’s office assume responsibility for these cases,” said Governor Edwards. “Going forward, DHH will not be responsible for funding outside counsel on this suit and will let the litigation run its course under the direction of the Attorney General.”
In a statement by Attorney General Jeff Landry's office, Landry said all cases from the previous administration will be reviewed.
"I will decide whether and how to proceed in the best interest of the people of Louisiana," Landry said. “I will be guided by the rule of law, individual freedoms, and our common sense values.”
But, he continued, "I am committed to enforcing our state's pro-life and pro-woman laws. My office and I will continue to do all we legally can to protect the unborn, their mothers, and all Louisiana women. We plan to appeal the ruling for the betterment of our state and its citizens.”
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