Texas abortion clinics lose bid to remain open past July 1

Texas had over 40 licensed clinics before the Republican-controlled legislature passed the new law in 2013

Over half of Texas's remaining abortion clinics must close as women's rights advocates keep fighting to overturn strict regulations that could leave the second-largest US state with just eight facilities.

The US Court of Appeals in New Orleans refused on Friday to suspend its ruling in Texas's favour while the US Supreme Court decides whether to hear the dispute.

The same appeals court ruled this month that the state's interest in safeguarding patient safety outweighs the inconvenience to women who must travel long distances to gain access to the procedure. Women's rights advocates asked the Supreme Court late Friday to issue an emergency order to keep the clinics open.

"The Supreme Court needs to halt this," Nancy Northup, president of Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. Unless the Supreme Court blocks the law from taking effect on July 1, Texas's restrictions will leave no abortion clinics open in the western half of the state, requiring women there to travel more than 500 miles to San Antonio or cross state lines into New Mexico to access abortions.

The New Orleans court previously ruled the last remaining clinic in the Rio Grande Valley could stay open under certain conditions, so women from the poverty-stricken border region wouldn't have to travel more than 200 miles to reach clinics. The court altered its ruling Friday to require the South Texas facility to comply with some portions of the new law by October 29.

Three appellate judges appointed by Republican President George W Bush allowed Texas to enforce its controversial law over objections by women's rights groups.

Texas had more than 40 licensed clinics before the Republican-controlled legislature passed the law in 2013.

The law closes abortion clinics that can't meet strict building code and procedural requirements for outpatient surgery centres.