Alaska judge strikes down law saying only doctors can provide abortions

A state judge in Alaska struck down a law prohibiting anyone other than a licensed physician from performing abortions. 

Superior Court Judge Josie Garton ruled Wednesday the law imposed a substantial burden on patients’ fundamental privacy rights to make reproductive health decisions. 

The Alaska Supreme Court previously found the right to privacy in the state’s constitution also applies to abortion rights. 

Garton said advanced practice clinicians (APCs) such as...