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| Missouri's last abortion clinic wins last-minute reprieve | Missouri's last abortion clinic wins last-minute reprieve |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A judge has temporarily blocked Missouri from becoming the first US state not to have an abortion clinic in nearly half a century. | A judge has temporarily blocked Missouri from becoming the first US state not to have an abortion clinic in nearly half a century. |
| Planned Parenthood won a court order to keep the state's only abortion clinic open, on the day it was due to close. | Planned Parenthood won a court order to keep the state's only abortion clinic open, on the day it was due to close. |
| The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has refused to renew its operating licence, alleging "deficient practices". | The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has refused to renew its operating licence, alleging "deficient practices". |
| Nine US states have passed anti-abortion legislation this year. | Nine US states have passed anti-abortion legislation this year. |
| On Friday, Circuit Court Judge Michael Stelzer said the Missouri abortion clinic's licence could remain in effect while Planned Parenthood seeks a preliminary injunction against the state. | On Friday, Circuit Court Judge Michael Stelzer said the Missouri abortion clinic's licence could remain in effect while Planned Parenthood seeks a preliminary injunction against the state. |
| A ruling on that matter is expected next Tuesday. | A ruling on that matter is expected next Tuesday. |
| Earlier this week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released a statement citing "ongoing concerns" about the clinic in the wake of its annual inspection. | Earlier this week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services released a statement citing "ongoing concerns" about the clinic in the wake of its annual inspection. |
| These concerns included violations of Missouri law and "failed surgical abortions in which patients remained pregnant", according to state officials. | These concerns included violations of Missouri law and "failed surgical abortions in which patients remained pregnant", according to state officials. |
| Planned Parenthood dismissed the charges as politically motivated. | Planned Parenthood dismissed the charges as politically motivated. |
| "Today is a victory for women across Missouri, but this fight is far from over," said Dr Leana Wen, president of the reproductive health organisation. | "Today is a victory for women across Missouri, but this fight is far from over," said Dr Leana Wen, president of the reproductive health organisation. |
| If Planned Parenthood ultimately loses the case, Missouri could become the first state not to have a legal abortion clinic since 1973 when the Supreme Court ruled that US women have the right to choose an abortion. | If Planned Parenthood ultimately loses the case, Missouri could become the first state not to have a legal abortion clinic since 1973 when the Supreme Court ruled that US women have the right to choose an abortion. |
| The legal battle comes days after Missouri enacted a bill to outlaw nearly all abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy, making no exceptions for rape or incest. | The legal battle comes days after Missouri enacted a bill to outlaw nearly all abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy, making no exceptions for rape or incest. |
| On Thursday, Louisiana approved legislation banning pregnancy terminations after a foetal heartbeat is detected. Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Mississippi have passed similar bills. | On Thursday, Louisiana approved legislation banning pregnancy terminations after a foetal heartbeat is detected. Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Mississippi have passed similar bills. |
| Meanwhile, Alabama has passed an outright ban on abortion in nearly all cases. None of these laws are yet to take effect, however, and they face a barrage of legal challenges. | Meanwhile, Alabama has passed an outright ban on abortion in nearly all cases. None of these laws are yet to take effect, however, and they face a barrage of legal challenges. |
| This recent batch of laws is backed by anti-abortion activists who have been emboldened by President Donald Trump's appointment of two conservative justices to the US Supreme Court. | This recent batch of laws is backed by anti-abortion activists who have been emboldened by President Donald Trump's appointment of two conservative justices to the US Supreme Court. |
| "Pro-life" campaigners hope that the highest court in the land will ultimately overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling. | "Pro-life" campaigners hope that the highest court in the land will ultimately overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling. |
| Missouri is already among US states that have limited access to abortion with such rules as requiring women seeking abortions to undergo counselling and wait 72 hours before the procedure. | Missouri is already among US states that have limited access to abortion with such rules as requiring women seeking abortions to undergo counselling and wait 72 hours before the procedure. |
| Other, liberal states have taken steps to bolster protections for women seeking abortions. | Other, liberal states have taken steps to bolster protections for women seeking abortions. |
| On Tuesday, lawmakers in Illinois passed a bill that would repeal its restrictions on certain late-term abortions. The legislation is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled state Senate. | |
| California, Vermont, Maine and Nevada have taken steps to protect abortion rights in case Roe v Wade is ever overturned. |