Legal guidelines for the performance of abortions

Abortion is a nationwide problem. This paper summarizes the original decisions of the Supreme Court and interprets those decisions and subsequent decisions of the various federal and state cases as they apply to physicians and hospitals. The legal duties, obligations, and responsibilities as well as the rights of health care providers in providing abortions to women are reviewed. The present status of the legal rights of parents, husbands, and fathers is discussed. The problems of payment for abortion services by third parties, welfare agencies, and insurance carriers are presented. The social impact of legalized abortion, the present status of abortion, and the legal guidelines for the performance of abortion are noted.