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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 7 august 2019

Federal judge continues blocking 3 Arkansas abortion laws

“Since the record at this sans while we work to strike law, a physician licensed year. Opponents say the
stage of the proceedings down these laws for good.” to practice medicine in the requirement eliminates a
indicates that women seek- Little Rock Family Planning state can perform abor- large number of physicians
ing abortions in Arkansas has said it would likely be tions. who have had training in
face an imminent threat forced to close if the new The additional qualifica- the procedure. The state
to their constitutional rights, requirement for abortion tion for abortion doctors is has argued that the addi-
the court concludes that doctors took effect. similar to a Mississippi law a tional qualification would
they will suffer irreparable Under current Arkansas federal judge upheld last protect patients.q
harm without injunctive re-
lief,” Baker wrote in her 186-
In this Oct. 12, 2012, file photo, page ruling.
Kristine Baker smiles after
being sworn in as a U.S. District Attorney General Leslie
judge for the Eastern District of Rutledge’s office immedi-
Arkansas in Little Rock. ately filed a notice that it
Associated Press was appealing Baker’s de-
By ANDREW DEMILLO cision.
Associated Press “She continues to defend
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A Arkansas law protecting
federal judge on Tuesday women’s health,” Amanda
ruled that three Arkansas Priest, a spokeswoman for
abortion restrictions she Rutledge, said.
temporarily blocked will The laws are being chal-
remain on hold while she lenged by Little Rock Fam-
considers a lawsuit chal- ily Planning Services, the
lenging them. state’s only surgical abor-
U.S. District Judge Kristine tion clinic, and Planned
Baker granted a prelimi- Parenthood.
nary injunction preventing Planned Parenthood only
the state from enforcing offers medication-induced
the restrictions, which in- abortions at its Arkansas
clude a measure prohibit- facilities. Planned Parent-
ing abortion 18 weeks into hood last month closed its
pregnancy. They also in- Fayetteville facility and is
clude a requirement that looking for a new location,
doctors performing abor- but is still providing medi-
tions be board-certified or cation abortions at its Little
board-eligible in obstet- Rock center.
rics and gynecology. An “These extreme bans and
official with a Little Rock restrictions would have
clinic that performs surgi- decimated abortion ac-
cal abortions has said it has cess in Arkansas, so we’re
one physician who meets relieved the court has
that requirement, and that again blocked them from
he only works there infre- taking effect,” said Holly
quently. Dickson, legal director and
Baker last month issued a interim executive director
ruling blocking the laws of the American Civil Lib-
that was set to expire late erties Union of Arkansas,
Tuesday night. The third law which represents Little Rock
prohibits doctors from per- Family Planning.
forming an abortion if it’s “This ruling ensures our cli-
being sought because the ents can continue to pro-
fetus was diagnosed with vide quality, compassion-
Down syndrome. ate medical care to Arkan-