Arkansas asks court to vacate order blocking abortion law

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's office is asking a federal appeals court to allow the state to enforce its restrictions on the abortion pill, saying the law protects the integrity of the medical profession.

Rutledge's office filed a brief with 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday in its appeal of a federal judge's ruling temporarily blocking the restrictions. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker in March granted Planned Parenthood's request for a preliminary injunction blocking the law that requires doctors providing the abortion pill to maintain a contract with another physician with admitting privileges at a hospital who agrees to handle any complications.

Baker's ruling expressed skepticism about the benefit of the restrictions approved by lawmakers last year. Rutledge's office said the injunction was issued based on "clearly erroneous" findings.

Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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