Abortion clinic told to pause surgeries

The Arkansas Department of Health on Friday ordered one of the two operating abortion clinics in the state to stop performing the surgical procedure, after the agency accused the clinic of violating a prohibition on elective surgeries during the covid-19 pandemic.

Little Rock Family Planning Services was ordered to stop performing all surgical abortions not "immediately necessary to protect the life or health" of the mother until after the public-health emergency has passed, said a letter sent to the clinic from the Health Department.

The order was delivered days after state officials ratcheted up their criticism of the clinic, accusing its staff of ignoring directives aimed at preserving personal protective equipment while operating on out-of-state patients who Gov. Asa Hutchinson warned could be spreading the disease.

The clinic is being represented by attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, which released a statement Friday saying that it was considering options with its client, including litigation.

Read more: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/apr/11/abortion-clinic-told-to-pause-surgeries/?news