Judge extends restraining order allowing abortion clinic to oper - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Judge extends restraining order allowing abortion clinic to operate

It got its day in court and now Mississippi's only abortion clinic will be staying open, at least for now. This is despite a new law which some lawmakers were hopeful would shut it down.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan decided to extend the temporary restraining order which he first put in place on July 1st when the clinic filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law.

The order will continue to block the law from going into effect.

That law requires physicians at the clinic to be OB-GYNs with admitting privileges at local hospitals. While the physicians are certified OB-GYNs, only one currently has admitting privileges. Clinic representatives say that doctor is a back up physician and doesn't perform abortions.

Before issuing a ruling, the judge said he wanted to review enforcement regulations which were adopted by the board of health Wednesday morning.

"Well I'm pleased. I think that we're still in a waiting and seeing posture. I think that Michelle [the attorney for the clinic] did a fabulous job of presenting the case of constitutional issues and the dangers that the clinic foresees," said clinic owner Diane Derzis.

"The law that was passed was a law that was passed by a duly elected legislature, by the people of the state of Mississippi and the expectation is that those laws be upheld," said Pro-Life Mississippi representative Tanya Britton.

It's not clear how long the extension will last or when the judge will make his ruling. Meanwhile the clinic has applied for privileges to at least seven hospitals within a 30 mile radius and hasn't heard back from any of them.

The clinic's owner says one hospital, St. Dominic's of Jackson, said don't even bother applying.

Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.