U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith [photo at right] has temporarily blocked a new Missouri law designed to require abortion clinics to meet the same standards as other outpatient surgery centers. Once again, a helpful, just and common-sense law (duly and responsibly passed by legislators) has been blocked by the action of one man. Guys, the founding fathers didn't draw it up this way.
Naturally, Planned Parenthood was "very pleased" with the ruling. But Jane Drummond, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said the judge's order could put the health of women at risk.
"We are concerned that blocking this law will endanger the health and safety of women. But she added, "We are encouraged that the judge has set the preliminary injunction hearing so quickly so that we have a full opportunity to present our evidence."
Here's a brief report.
