Judge Hears Arguments on St. Louis Planned Parenthood License Renewal

On Wednesday, Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer heard arguments from lawyers for Planned Parenthood and the state on whether Missouri can refuse to reissue the St. Louis abortion clinic's license. Planned Parenthood stated that Missouri must renew the clinic's license, as it has corrected deficiencies found in a state inspection. Assistant Attorney General D. John Sauer disagreed, stating that the clinic has not fully complied with the state investigation by not making five doctors who no longer work for Planned Parenthood available to be interviewed, and the state is not able to complete its investigation into complications from abortions that have occurred at the clinic. The Missouri director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, Dr. Randall Williams, said multiple deficiencies were found in the St. Louis clinic relating to "critical" matters of life-and-death. Judge Stelzer has not given a timeframe as to when he expects to rule on matter.