Missouri’s Last Remaining Abortion Clinic To Temporarily Stay Open By Judge’s Orders

The abortion ban in the state of Missouri has gotten really real, with only one abortion clinic remaining in the whole state. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services refuses to renew its license, but a judge issued a temporary restraining order keeping the clinic open.

The department accused the clinic of unspecified “deficient practices” and refused to renew its license unless all physicians submitted to interviews. Planned Parenthood, which operates the clinic, was concerned that the interviews could lead to criminal prosecution.

A clinic spokesperson told CBS that during a state audit of the clinic in March, the state said consequences of not conducting the interviews could include “criminal proceedings.” Planned Parenthood said they were not clear what “deficient practices” the state was referring to.

The organization filed suit this week and within days, a judge in the Circuit Court of St. Louis allowed the clinic to continue abortion services while the case proceeds. The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th.

St. Louis Planned Parenthood OB-GYN Dr. Colleen Nicholas said, “This is a huge sigh of relief for the many patients who need access to safe, legal abortion in Missouri.”

Missouri Governor Mike Parson, who signed the state’s eight-week ban, said that it would be “reckless” for a judge to allow the clinic to keep offering abortions. “No judge should give special treatment to Planned Parenthood in this instance,” he said.

Dr. Leana Wen, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America said “Parson has made it clear that his goal is to ban abortion care in the state of Missouri, and today’s comments confirmed that this is exactly what this is all about. Our health center meets the highest standard of care.”