Doctor seeks to join Planned Parenthood challenge of Mo. abortion law

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A suburban St. Louis physician has asked a federal judge for permission to join Planned Parenthood's challenge of a Missouri law that would add new regulations for abortion providers.

Dr. Allen Palmer, of Bridgeton, filed a motion Wednesday asking to be added to the case as a plaintiff.

On Monday U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith blocked enforcement of the new law, which was to go into effect Tuesday. He will hold a hearing Sept. 10 on whether to make his order permanent.

The law would put more abortion clinics under state supervision by categorizing them as outpatient surgery centers, requiring them to meet specific state building, staffing and health standards. The new law would apply to any facility that performs more than five first-trimester abortions a month, or any second- or third-trimester abortions.

Supporters of the law argue that it is necessary to ensure the health and safety of women seeking abortions, and would not place any undue burden on women or the clinics.

But Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri filed suit against Department of Health and Senior Services director Jane Drummond and Attorney General Jay Nixon. Planned Parenthood claims the law would force the organization to close its clinic in Kansas City and temporarily close its Columbia clinic while it made the required renovations.

In his motion, Palmer asked Smith to extend his injunction blocking the law's enforcement to his own abortion practice. He argued that the law shouldn't apply to him because he performs the procedure in his private offices, not in a public clinic.

He said he has provided abortion services for more than 30 years and would have to stop if forced to comply with the new rules.

Smith has scheduled a hearing Friday to consider Palmer's request.

Dale Schowengerdt, a defense attorney for Drummond, said Thursday that he was still reviewing Palmer's motion and couldn't comment.