Missouri Denies New License to St. Louis Planned Parenthood

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has rejected the license application of the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis.  The decision was announced prior to Friday's court hearing in St. Louis Circuit Court. However, a preliminary injunction issued by St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer in June will stay in effect, allowing the Planned Parenthood clinic to continue performing abortions. 

DHSS had previously allowed the clinic's license to lapse, stating that officials needed to interview seven physicians involved in deficiencies identified in the clinic's annual inspection, and only two had complied. Planned Parenthood sued and was granted an injunction allowing it to continue providing abortions.  

Judge Stelzer had given DHSS until Friday, June 21 (today) to formally approve or reject the clinic's license application. This formal denial by DHSS will now allow Planned Parenthood to appeal the decision to Missouri's Administrative Hearing Commission.