North Carolina - Abortion Curbs Await Governor's Decision - NYTimes.com The state's Republican-led legislature has approved new abortion rules that backers say will make the procedure safer but that critics say aim to restrict the ability of women to have abortions by forcing clinics to close. The State Senate gave final approval on Thursday to a measure empowering the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop rules to regulate abortion clinics based on the same standards as those set for outpatient surgery centers. Abortion-rights groups say the new measure could force clinics to make costly changes or risk being shut down. The bill also prohibits abortion coverage in insurance plans offered by cities, counties and under the new federal health care law. The debate over the measure has led to weeks of protests and arrests. Groups supporting abortion rights are trying to pressure Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, to veto the measure, citing his campaign vow not to sign any new abortion restrictions into law.