WASHINGTON - An abortion rights group says the Supreme Court is sending a "loud and clear message that politicians cannot use deceptive means to shut down abortion clinics."

The Center for Reproductive Rights represented some Texas clinics that achieved a big victory today, as the court struck down Texas abortion regulations that are similar to those in several other states. They require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

The court disagreed with the claim by Texas that the restrictions were necessary to protect women's health. By a vote of 5-to-3, the justices sided with clinics that had argued the regulations were just a veiled attempt to make it harder for women to get abortions. Abortion providers said the rules would have cut the number of abortion clinics in Texas by three-fourths.

Justices Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined Justice Stephen Breyer, who wrote the opinion.  Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says it's "unfortunate" that the court -- in his words -- "has taken the ability to protect women's health out of the hands of Texas citizens and their duly elected representatives."