By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – Alabama groups divided on abortion are united in opposition to new requirements state health officials are proposing for doctors who perform the procedure.
Anti-abortion advocates say two of the three new certification methods proposed are too lax to be effective.
Those who support abortion object to all three of the proposed methods and say the new certification requirements are unnecessary.
Under current rules abortions can be performed by a licensed physician who is credentialed by a clinic's medical director.
Two of the proposed amendments would require that certification be from an accredited U-S- residency or fellowship program, or from an accredited hospital that gave them staff privileges that include abortions.
The third way to get certified would be from a properly trained ``disinterested physician'' who observed the doctor and verified the physician's skill doing abortions.
Written public comments on the proposal will be accepted until April 4th.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)