JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge is continuing to block a new anti-abortion law in Mississippi.
If the law were allowed to take effect, it could shut down the state's only abortion clinic and make it nearly impossible for a woman to get an abortion in Mississippi. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states can't place undue burdens or substantial obstacles to women seeking abortion.
U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III temporarily blocked the law July 1. He decided Wednesday to continue a temporary restraining order, but he did not immediately say until when.
The law would require anyone performing clinic abortions to be an OB-GYN with privileges to admit patients to a local hospital. The doctors at the clinic in Jackson do not have those privileges. The clinic says the privileges aren't medically necessary.
Supporters of the law say it's designed to protect patients. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant says he hopes it will help make Mississippi "abortion-free."
