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N.C. abortion law deemed illegal

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A North Carolina law requiring women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound and then have a medical provider describe the image to them is a violation of constitutional free-speech rights, a federal judge ruled Friday.

US District Judge Catherine Eagles ruled that states don’t have the power to force a health care provider to be the bearer of what she called an ‘‘ideological message in favor of carrying a pregnancy to term.’’ Eagles, who was nominated to the court by President Obama, had put the law on hold a few months after the Republican-led state legislature passed it in 2011.

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The law required abortion providers to place an ultrasound image next to a pregnant woman so she can view it, describe its features, and offer the patient the chance to listen to the heartbeat. The patient was not required to watch the display or listen.

Associated Press