|
Oklahoma District Court Judge Robert Stuart turned down a
request by abortion rights groups to halt the measure from
taking effect. Stuart also allowed a provision that would limit
liability claims against physicians due to the law.
According to the lawsuit filed on behalf of Reproductive
Services in Tulsa and the Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive
Services this month, the measure would lead to increased use of
surgically induced abortions for cases where drugs can be used.
"This law is contrary to protecting women's health and will
force doctors to use an outdated and less safe medical
procedure," said Autumn Katz, staff attorney for the Center for
Reproductive Rights.
The defendants said the use of the drugs could cause harm to
pregnant women because they can be used for procedures not
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Earlier this year, lawmakers in the heavily Republican state
approved new restrictions on abortion clinics they said were
aimed at protecting women's health, but abortion rights
advocates said were actually intended to shut clinics.
(Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Eric Walsh)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
|
