Missouri commission extends in-state abortion access until at least Aug. 1
A pro-choice protest in St. Louis. Photo: Jacob Moscovitch/Stringer/Getty Images
Missouri's Administrative Hearing Commission ruled on Friday that the state's only abortion provider — a Planned Parenthood clinic — can continue providing access to abortions through at least August 1, CNN reports.
Why it matters: Should the clinic be forced to stop performing abortions, Missouri would become the first state since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973 not to have an abortion clinic, according to Planned Parenthood.
Catch up quick: The St. Louis clinic is working to appeal the state health department's decision not to renew its license. A Missouri judge said the clinic can continue providing abortions on Monday, but also took the clinic's lawsuit out of court, CBS reports.
The backdrop: Missouri's health department cited a failure to correct "deficiencies" in its decision not to renew the clinic's license. The state is known for its stringent regulations surrounding abortion procedures, such as extra pelvic exams, and had requested to interview doctors who work at the clinic.
- The state passed a law last month banning abortion at 8 weeks of pregnancy without exceptions for rape or incest.
- Missouri's Administrative Hearing Commission is scheduled to hear Planned Parenthood's appeal on August 1, per CNN.
What they're saying: "Missouri Gov. Mike Parson's Department of Health and Senior Services weaponized a regulatory process to deny an abortion facility license to the last remaining health center in Missouri that provides abortion," Planned Parenthood said in a statement.
Go deeper: Missouri House passes bill to ban abortions at 8 weeks of pregnancy
Editor's note: This story has been updated to show the Missouri's Administrative Hearing Commission ruling.