NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposed amendment in the Tennessee Legislature that would have published the names of doctors who perform abortions and required statistical information about women who receive abortions has been withdrawn amid controversy.

The measures got national attention and were opposed by the Tennessee Medical Association and the only physician in the state legislature. Both opponents and supporters of legalized abortion feared that publishing the names of the doctors on the Internet would put them in danger. Critics worried the latter measure could inadvertently identify women.

The original bill is moving forward. It would require all doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges in a licensed hospital either in the county where the procedure is performed or in an adjacent county. The bill passed in the Health and Human Resources Committee and is now being scheduled for a vote on the House floor.

Rep. Matthew H ill, the Jonesborough Republican who sponsored the bill, said during a committee meeting Wednesday he was pulling the amendment after opponents used their "15 minutes of fame to slander my character on a national scale" and vilify the people of Tennessee who value life.

"This reckless disregard for the truth and their characterization of me as a terrorist, murderer and more has been used by their leftist friends to engender hatred and insight the threat of violence," Hill said. He said he had received threats as a result of the widespread publicity about the more controversial elements of his bill.

Opponents, however, said Hill's bill contained dangerous proposals.

"The bill was clearly designed to intimidate and terrorize not only women but the physicians who would be providing those services," said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee.

The amendment would have made public the age, marital status, race a nd county of residence of all women who've undergone an abortion. It expressly forbid identifying women who have undergone an abortion, but critics said those living in rural areas might easily be outed. It would have required listing the woman's pre-existing medical conditions, as well as the number of prior pregnancies and abortions.

Hill said the bill has always been about women's health and safety.

Critics, however, contend that abortion providers are being singled out because the law doesn't require doctors at other ambulatory clinics to have hospital admitting privileges.