Missouri, Planned Parenthood debate 'safety concerns' at abortion clinic hearing

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Reuters) - The fate of Missouri’s only abortion clinic was at stake on Monday, as a state arbiter heard arguments from Planned Parenthood and state officials who have threatened to close it and make Missouri the sole U.S. state without legal abortion services.

Planned Parenthood, the women’s healthcare and abortion provider that operates the facility, sued the state health department in June for its refusal to renew the St. Louis clinic’s license. The state court judge presiding over the case referred the matter to the Administrative Hearing Commission, an independent arbiter.

The hearing, which is expected to last several days, began on Monday with opening statements from both sides and testimony from state witnesses including Donna Harrison, a doctor and director of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists.