A federal appeals court’s decision will now make it more difficult for women to end pregnancy. The court has upheld certain parts of Texas’ strict anti-abortion law. The decision will leave no other option for abortion clinics, but to close down.

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has sustained the requirements that abortion clinics need to meet hospital-level operating standards. The ruling was given by a three-judge panel. Owners of small clinics said that in order to maintain that level of standard, massive amount of funds are required, which they cannot afford.

This will make them close their clinics. Gov. Greg Abbott and other conservatives said the standards are required as they are important for women’s health. On the other hand, Abortion-rights supports said the law is nothing but an attempt to end provision of abortions in nation’s second-largest state.

The supporters have promised to appeal in the US Supreme Court. Nancy Northrop, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said, “Not since before Roe v. Wade has a law or court decision had the potential to devastate access to reproductive health care on such a sweeping scale”.

Stephanie Toti, an attorney for the center, said the state can implement the restrictions in around three weeks unless the Supreme Court intervenes. There are 17 abortion centers in Texas and only seven facilities in Texas that meet the requirements and those are also in main cities.