ACLU Lawsuit Keeps Last Abortion Clinic in Kentucky Open
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal court today issued an order that permits the last abortion clinic in Kentucky to remain open while the state challenges the clinic’s agreements with local hospital and ambulance service.
The American Civil Liberties Union and attorneys at the law firm Lynch, Cox, Gilman & Goodman P.S.C. filed a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking unconstitutional state laws that would have forced the clinic to close.
Kentucky had threatened to revoke the license of EMW Women’s Surgical Center, alleging that the clinic’s agreements with a hospital and an ambulance service contained technical deficiencies despite having approved the same agreements last year.
Last June, in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt case, the Supreme Court struck down similar laws requiring that doctors who provide abortions have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.
Today’s order keeps the temporary restraining order issued March 31 in effect until a final judgement is entered in the case.
Brigitte Amiri, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project, had this response:
“We are pleased that the last abortion clinic in the commonwealth will remain open, but doctors shouldn’t have to go to court to ensure that they can continue to provide care for their patients.”
Don Cox, attorney with Lynch, Cox, Gilman & Goodman, had this reaction:
“We hope that today’s order sends a clear message to Gov. Bevin that it is long past time to stop trying to prevent women from making their own decisions and getting the care they need.”
A copy of today’s court order can be found here: http://www.aclu-ky.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EMW-Agreed-Order-Final.pdf
More on this case can be found here: https://www.aclu.org/cases/emw-v-glisson
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal court today issued an order that permits the last abortion clinic in Kentucky to remain open while the state challenges the clinic’s agreements with local hospital and ambulance service.
The American Civil Liberties Union and attorneys at the law firm Lynch, Cox, Gilman & Goodman P.S.C. filed a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking unconstitutional state laws that would have forced the clinic to close.
Kentucky had threatened to revoke the license of EMW Women’s Surgical Center, alleging that the clinic’s agreements with a hospital and an ambulance service contained technical deficiencies despite having approved the same agreements last year.
Last June, in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt case, the Supreme Court struck down similar laws requiring that doctors who provide abortions have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.
Today’s order keeps the temporary restraining order issued March 31 in effect until a final judgement is entered in the case.
Brigitte Amiri, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project, had this response:
“We are pleased that the last abortion clinic in the commonwealth will remain open, but doctors shouldn’t have to go to court to ensure that they can continue to provide care for their patients.”
Don Cox, attorney with Lynch, Cox, Gilman & Goodman, had this reaction:
“We hope that today’s order sends a clear message to Gov. Bevin that it is long past time to stop trying to prevent women from making their own decisions and getting the care they need.”
A copy of today’s court order can be found here: http://www.aclu-ky.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/EMW-Agreed-Order-Final.pdf
More on this case can be found here: https://www.aclu.org/cases/emw-v-glisson
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
The Latest in Reproductive Freedom
-
Federal Court Blocks Certain Restrictions in North Carolina’s Sweeping Abortion Ban
-
Alabama Court Blocks De Facto Ban on Birth Centers in Case Brought by Midwives and Doctors
-
ACLU Comment on Failed House Vote to Advance Medication Abortion Restrictions in Appropriations Bill
-
Supreme Court of Ohio will Hear Oral Argument Tomorrow in Challenge to Extreme Abortion Ban
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About Reproductive Freedom
The ACLU works to ensure that every person can make the best decision for themselves and their family about whether and when to have a child without undue political interference.