12-4-13 wisconsin abortion-appeal

CHICAGO (AP) — An appellate court in Chicago has heard arguments on a hotly debated Wisconsin law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.  Tuesday's hour-long hearing at 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will help the three-judge panel decide whether to lift a temporary block on the law imposed by a lower court.  Judges aggressively questioned an attorney defending Wisconsin's law. Judge Richard Posner repeatedly broached the question of why legislators singled out abortion clinics for the requirement and did not extend the law to other outpatient clinics performing more dangerous procedures. Posner says the Wisconsin law "sounds irrational."  Critics say the law on admitting privileges is a back door approach to stymie abortion rights. Supporters say the law protects women's health.