Shreveport Abortion Clinic Reopens after Court Ruling

(PRESS RELEASE) Today, a state court ruled that abortion and family planning facility Hope Medical Group for Women should be allowed to reopen. Late this afternoon, the 19th Judicial District Court issued an order temporarily lifting suspension of the clinic’s license. A court hearing on whether the clinic will be allowed to remain open while its legal claims are resolved will be held on Tuesday, September 21. “We are extremely pleased that Hope can reopen its doors,” said Janet Crepps, deputy director of the U.S. Legal Program at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “Hope has provided abortion in Shreveport for over thirty years with an excellent safety record and that commitment to good service has not wavered. The shut-down of the clinic did not protect the women in the area, it deprived them of an essential health service.” The Center for Reproductive Rights filed a lawsuit yesterday on behalf of Hope Medical, challenging the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospital’s decision to suspend the clinic’s license on September 3. The lawsuit claims that department’s actions were unnecessary and unconstitutional.The district court’s order stated that, there was “good legal cause” for granting the temporary restraining order and that Hope Medical had made a preliminary showing of irreparable harm. Hope Medical is represented by Janet Crepps of the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Louisiana attorneys. John Hodge and J.E. Cullens, Jr.