The Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic will retain its license to operate an abortion facility until at least late December.
Following the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) on Monday, U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey ruled Wednesday to extend the temporary restraining order until a preliminary injunction hearing could be held.
This ruling prevents the Department from revoking the Columbia Planned Parenthood clinic’s license to operate an abortion facility.
According to Laura McQuade, the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (PPKM), the judge ruled in the clinic’s favor and said the Department’s decision to immediately revoke the license might be a result of “animus” against the clinic and the services it provides.
“Today Judge Laughrey acknowledged what Planned Parenthood has always known – that the State of Missouri has treated PPKM’s Columbia facility differently than other Ambulatory Surgical Centers,” McQuade said in a written statement.
PPKM filed its lawsuit against the Department on Monday claiming the immediate revocation of its license, upon the discontinuation of their physician’s admitting privileges at MU Hospital, violated its procedural due process rights.
This was because the revocation did not allot the clinic enough time to complete a new privileging process with the clinic’s current physician or secure a new doctor for the clinic.
At this time, McQuade said, the clinic’s current provider has submitted a new package to be considered for privileges to MU Health Care.
McQuade also said Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri will begin to prepare for the preliminary injunction hearing that is scheduled for December 29 at 10 a.m. via telephone.
“If we are granted a preliminary injunction, that prevents the state from revoking the license until the litigation is completed,” McQuade said.
While the clinic will retain its license for the time being, abortion services have been halted. Making Missouri, once again, a one clinic state for abortion services.
