Planned Parenthood is appealing a state decision blocking abortion services at a New Orleans clinic under construction. The process could ultimately land in court.
The state Department of Health and Hospitals decided Planned Parenthood hadn’t made the case that more abortion services were needed.
Planned Parenthood senior counsel Roger Evans says he will argue that decision is arbitrary when it’s appealed to the state Division of Administrative Law
“If the administrative law judge signs off and essentially reaches the same result, I think what I can tell you at this point is that we’ll look at all of our options before deciding what to do," he said. "But we will pursue this – we will pursue every legal option open that is available to us until we open the center. “
Evans says the state appeal could take six months. If it fails, Planned Parenthood could head to federal court.
Louisiana has five abortion clinics. Planned Parenthood's $4 million health center in New Orleans is under construction and expected to open later this year.
It would be the third clinic offering abortions in the New Orleans area.
