Doctor says new Mo. abortion rules aren't medically necessary

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A gynecologist says new regulations that the state is proposing for abortion clinics are not medically necessary and would not insure the safety of women.

Dr. Paul Blumenthal from Stanford University testified for Planned Parenthood on Monday in a federal hearing on the group's lawsuit opposing the standards.

The standards would regulate things such as the width of hallways and the height of ceilings.

Blumenthal said they were not unreasonable but "they should have some clinical value."

The hearing is to determine whether federal Judge Ortrie Smith will issue a preliminary injunction stopping the implementation of the new law.

The state was to begin presenting witnesses Monday afternoon.