Missouri judge issues injunction keeping state’s only abortion clinic open News
© WikiMedia (Charlotte Cooper)
Missouri judge issues injunction keeping state’s only abortion clinic open

A Missouri judge on Monday issued a preliminary injunction allowing the state’s only abortion clinic to keep operating before the court makes an official decision on the facility’s license.

Planned Parenthood sued Missouri two weeks ago after state health officials refused to renew the license of the Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis. The state agency said they were concerned about patient safety, “failed surgical abortions” and legal violations.

Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer granted the preliminary injunction, which extends his earlier order to temporarily block the state from allowing the St. Louis facility’s license to lapse.

The preliminary injunction on Monday ordered the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to decide on Planned Parenthood’s application to renew its license by June 21.