One week before a new law imposes stricter regulations on Missouri abortion providers, Planned Parenthood wants a federal judge to keep it from being enforced.<\/p>\n
Planned Parenthood on Monday asked for an injunction to stall enforcement until the court decides whether the new law is constitutional. Without the injunction, the law will take effect a week from today.<\/p>\n
The requirements for a clinic to be licensed under the new law are so costly that the group may be forced to shut down abortion centers in Kansas City and Columbia, said Peter Brownlie, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.<\/p>\n
Women in central Missouri would be forced to travel to St. Louis for abortions, Brownlie said. Services would also continue to be provided in Overland Park, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a blatant attempt to close down clinics and deny women their right to health care,\u201d\u009d Brownlie said at a news conference Monday. \u201c\u201d\u00a6 The regulations would have no impact on family planning services or the quality of care that patients receive.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n