Judge issues order against abortion law

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge in Louisiana has issued a new order blocking the state from enforcing a law that he says would keep most women from getting abortions.

Attorneys for the state immediately asked Judge John degravelles to stay Wednesday’s order while they appeal it and his Jan. 26 finding that the law is unconstitutional.

After a phone conference late Wednesday, the judge said he will decide whether to suspend his order after getting written arguments from lawyers for three abortion clinics, with 5 p.m. Friday as the deadline for those briefs. The state’s attorney said he did not want to file briefs, de- Gravelles noted.

The law requires doctors who perform abortions to be able to admit patients to a hospital within 30 miles. Supporters say that would protect women’s health. Opponents say it would make it impossible to get abortions.

Degravelles said in January that of six doctors performing abortions in Louisiana, only two meet the requirement, and one of them has said he would quit if the law is enforced.

The remaining doctor performed nearly 30 percent of all abortions in the state, deGravelles said. He said forcing the other five doctors out of their clinics would therefore leave about 70 percent of the women who want abortions unable to get one.