Jefferson City, Mo., Apr 21, 2017 / 07:04 am
Stronger medical standards for abortion clinics were thrown out in Missouri by a federal judge who cited a Supreme Court decision on a similar law in Texas.
The Missouri law required abortion clinics to have the same standards as similar outpatient surgical centers. The clinics' doctors were also required to have hospital privileges.
U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs of the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City said April 19 that "relief should be prompt, given the needs of women seeking abortions and the need for available clinics to serve their needs." He cited the 5-3 ruling of the 2016 Supreme Court decision Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt.
Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley said he would appeal the decision, the St. Louis Dispatch reports.