Appeals Court considers Texas abortion law

On Wednesday the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments about Texas' controversial abortion law.

Back in October the U.S. Supreme Court put a temporary hold on the law after many facilities said they would be forced to close.

The blame a part of the law called the "ambulatory surgical center requirement." It requires abortion clinics have hospital-like settings.

Clinics would have to meet a set of building and medical standards.

As of today 17 abortion clinics are operating in the state of Texas.

But if the law is upheld more than half would close because the facilities lack operating rooms or other costly additions the law requires.

This would bring the number of abortion clinics down to eight statewide, not counting women's clinics like Planned Parenthood.

Pro-choice supporters say this would mean women would have to travel hundreds of miles to go to the remaining clinics.

The three-judge panel would hear both sides starting Wednesday morning.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is considered to be conservative.

Still what ever decision they decide, several Justices from the U.S. Supreme Court have already said they want to review the decision before any further action is taken.

On Friday the appellate court will take on Texas' gay marriage issue.