There's a controversial new bill in the North Carolina legislature that some say is an attempt to stop abortions, while others say it is an effort to keep women safe.

The bill would require doctors to stay on site after an abortion until the woman is ready to go home.

Doctors would need admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in case something went wrong.

"I think this is absolutely intended to chill women's access to abortions," said Sarah Farber, who is concerned about the bill.

Farber sees the abortion bill filed this week as an assault on women's health and women's rights.
"I don't think the legislators, most of them aren't doctors and that's who I trust to make decisions about what's best for me to have outpatient medical procedures," Farber said.

Planned Parenthood's Melissa Reed said hospitals, worried about protestors, might refuse to give admitting privileges to doctors who provide abortions, which could effectively stop abortions in North Carolina.

"This is an attempt to do just that," Reed said.

State Sen. Neal Hunt, one of the bill's sponsors, says while he would support outlawing abortions, that is "not" what this bill is about.

"The woman needs to be protected. Her health is paramount if you're going to do this procedure, which I don't advocate, if you're going to do it, you've got to make sure it's safe," Hunt said.

"This bill is about pure politics and has nothing to do with patient safety," Reed said.

Reed points out a lot of abortions happen with a pill. One is taken at the doctor's office and one taken at home -- something Hunt's bill does not address.

The bill could change, but there's a good chance something like it could pass in the Senate and House. If it does, all eyes, including Farber's, will be on the governor.

"I do think, given the way our legislation has been acting, that it would go to his desk for a veto and I hope that he would veto it and defer to doctors," Farber said.