washington closely divide supreme court struggle big abortion case years wednesday pivotal justice anthony kennedy voice concern restrictive texas law yet stop short signal would strike court four liberal justices indicate believe law impose strict regulations abortion doctor clinic build intrude woman constitutional right end pregnancy establish 1973 rule conservative justices include kennedy express doubt 85-minute oral argument claim abortion providers assert republican-backed 2013 law force numerous clinics shut kennedy one point suggest send case back low court get evidence law impact include assessment ability exist texas clinics meet demand abortions evidence new clinics meet state regulations increase capacity perform abortions would show law provide beneficial effect kennedy say outcome appear hand kennedy often cast decide vote close rule past abortion case back fundamental right abortion support restrictions court shorthanded eight justices follow feb. 13 death conservative antonin scalia leave liberals conservatives evenly divide best supporters law could hope would 4-4 split would let stand lower-court rule affirm texas regulations set nationwide legal precedent whether state could enact similar measure however rule leave texas law intact could encourage state anti-abortion legislatures pass similar laws kennedy give little indication would will uphold law full three conservative colleagues would expect kennedy side court four liberals court could either send case back low court strike rule due end june decision send case low court could mean dispute might resolve years justices question lack evidence specific clinics close law pass could address new legal proceed take place abortion providers assert law cause 22 41 clinics close state contest number evidence record closure relate legislation conservative chief justice john roberts ask texas contend law pass republican-controlled legislature sign republican governor protect women health abortion providers challenge assert regulations aim shut clinics sign comfortable aspects law kennedy sound concern possible increase surgical abortions prompt part state separate new restrictions medically induce abortions women take pills terminate pregnancy kennedy say law really increase number surgical procedures oppose medical procedures may medically wise abortion right advocate say surgical abortions increase delay women seek abortion face result 2013 law liberal justice ruth bad ginsburg question need provision law require clinics costly hospital-grade facilities abortions almost always low-risk procedures woman problem legislature respond need improve facilities women health ginsburg ask texas law require abortion doctor admit privilege type formal affiliation hospital within 30 miles 48 km clinic abortion providers say provision already force clinics close affiliation hard obtain abortion providers also challenge provision yet effect require clinics hospital-grade facilities standards corridor width plumb park space room size space bed many attribute conservative justice samuel alito indicate support regulations refer evidence abortion facilities texas cite really appal violations inspect hole floor rat could come lack equipment adequately sterilize instrument supreme court last major abortion rule come 2007 uphold federal law ban late-term abortion procedure supreme court legalize abortion 1973 roe v. wade case abortion remain dispute issue unite state many countries state pass laws aim place variety restrictions woman ability terminate pregnancy court consider texas case midst heat campaign ahead nov. u.s. presidential election key justice kennedy waver supreme court confront abortion