North Dakota abortion clinic files federal suit over 2 laws

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's sole abortion clinic filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday over two state laws it believes forces doctors to lie, including one measure passed this year requiring physicians to tell women that they may reverse a so-called medication abortion if they have second thoughts.

The complaint from the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of the Red River Women's Clinic and the American Medical Association also targets an existing law requiring doctors to tell patients that abortion terminates "the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being." The suit says the laws violate the constitutional rights of doctors by forcing them to "convey false information and non-medical statements" to patients. It asks a judge to block enforcement.

"The First Amendment prohibits the government from hijacking the doctor-patient relationship to advance a political agenda," said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

A spokeswoman for North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said he was served with the complaint late Tuesday and was reviewing it. Stenehjem said earlier when asked about the possibility of a lawsuit that he will be required to defend the current laws. Cass County State's Attorney Birch Burdick, also named as a defendant, had not seen the lawsuit and said he could not comment.

Read more: https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/state/north-dakota-abortion-clinic-files-federal-suit-over-laws/article_e6af805f-665f-5df0-9f8a-015905e569b6.html