Planned Parenthood asks judge to block Missouri abortion restrictions pending court challenge
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. _ Planned Parenthood is asking a federal district judge to block two Missouri abortion laws pending a lawsuit the organization filed in November.
On Monday, Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region filed a preliminary injunction, asking that laws requiring abortion clinics to meet standards for surgical centers and for its doctors to have hospital privileges not be enforced while they undergo a legal challenge.
Similar laws in Texas were deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, inspiring a similar legal battle in Missouri.
Supporters of the requirements say they ensure women can undergo safe abortions in clean facilities.
But abortion advocates have long argued that the strict laws merely keep most clinics in the state from being able to perform the procedure, forcing women seeking abortions across the state to make a trek to Missouri's one remaining abortion provider in St. Louis.
"We feel we stand on strong ground requesting this immediate step," said Laura McQuade, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, on a call with reporters.
McQuade said the organization expected the judge to rule on the injunction in the new year, likely in January or February.
Should the judge block the restrictions, Planned Parenthood has vowed to immediately restore abortion services at health centers in Columbia and Kansas City, and to begin providing services in Joplin and Springfield.
_St. Louis Post-Dispatch
