ST. LOUIS — The fate of abortion services in Missouri is in the hands of a St. Louis judge. Planned Parenthood is asking for a preliminary injunction that would allow the St. Louis clinic to continue providing abortions.
If the Judge Michael Stelzer rules in favor of Planned Parenthood, the clinic could continue providing abortions as the case continues to play out in court.
Attorneys representing Planned Parenthood and the State of Missouri made their arguments in court Wednesday morning.
The State says it cannot grant a license renewal to Planned Parenthood until inspectors interview doctors at the clinic.
“We have concerns, but we want to hear from the doctors who were actually taking care of patients,” said Randall Williams, Director of Health and Senior Services. “We can never sacrifice safety for access.”
Planned Parenthood has argued the state is using its licensing process to ban abortions.
“They have politicized the process and are moving the goal posts to back up their unsubstantiated claims, and trying to deflect and defer,” said M’Evie Mead, with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Missouri. “What we want to do is provide healthcare.”
Last week, Judge Stelzer had granted a temporary restraining order in favor of Planned Parenthood.