Planned Parenthood license topic of Missouri hearing

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A federal judge is leaving in place -- at least for now -- a preliminary injunction barring the state of Missouri from revoking Planned Parenthood's license to perform abortions at a Columbia clinic.

After a hearing Thursday, U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey said she would weigh the matter and rule "as soon as possible," the Columbia Daily Tribune reported.

Planned Parenthood is fighting to keep the license after University of Missouri Health Care canceled St. Louis physician Colleen McNicholas' privileges that allowed her to provide medication-induced abortions at the clinic.

Attorneys for Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri argue political pressure that led to the university's actions also governed the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' decision to revoke the license.

Planned Parenthood accuses the department of violating its right to due process and state law setting the procedures for license actions.

James Layton, representing the state for the Missouri Attorney General's Office, countered Planned Parenthood was told of the looming revocation in October but still has not responded with a corrective plan.

The Columbia clinic began offering abortions last summer when McNicholas was hired after a three-year lapse.

Under Missouri law, abortion clinics are classified as ambulatory surgical centers and doctors must have hospital privileges in the community. MU Health canceled McNicholas' privileges after legislative hearings led by Republican state Sen. Kurt Schaefer of Columbia, as well as pressure from anti-abortion lawmakers.

The clinic stopped offering abortions in late November, leaving only one location in the state where women may obtain abortions.

Laughrey issued the preliminary injunction Dec. 28.