The previous abortion law, from 1967, outlawed abortion under any circumstance, but other previous criminal law cases agreed abortion was acceptable if it saved the life of the mother.[1] Under the old law, women undergoing an illegal abortion were subject to a prison term up to three years, with the abortion provider subject to a prison term up to five years.[1] If the abortion provider was in the medical profession, their right to practice medicine would be taken away.[1]