Missouri Planned Parenthood asks judge to block abortion law

(AP) A Columbia Planned Parenthood has passed its state inspection and is asking a federal judge to take action to allow the clinic to provide abortions again.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that the clinic wants to start offering abortions beginning Jan. 28.

The center now is barred from providing abortions because of a state law that requires abortion doctors to have certain privileges with a nearby hospital. Planned Parenthood asked U.S. District Judge Brian Wimes to block that law.

The Columbia center has struggled to get a doctor with those admitting privileges since University of Missouri Hospital voted to stop offering the privileges altogether in 2015.

Attorney General Josh Hawley’s office is defending the law. Spokeswoman Mary Compton says the office will oppose re-licensing without a doctor with hospital privileges.