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Lexington Judge Rules Local Abortion Clinic Can Remain Open

A Lexington judge has ruled that a local abortion clinic the state claims is unlicensed can remain open.  The administration of Republican Gov. Matt Bevin sued the clinic earlier this month. The EMW clinic argued in a court hearing on Wednesday that it has operated legally for decades.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Fayette Circuit Judge Ernesto Scorsone ruled Friday that in addition to evidence the clinic was operating legally, closing it would go against the public interest.

The suit against the Lexington clinic follows a similar action against a Planned Parenthood facility in Louisville that halted abortions in January when Bevin's administration sued.

Bevin, a staunch abortion opponent, said he was outraged to learn that the Louisville facility had recently started performing abortions.

Attorneys for the EMW clinic say it is a physician's office that performs abortions and not subject to the licensure requirement. The clinic stopped performing abortions March 9, pending the judge's ruling.

Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto said the administration will appeal the ruling as soon as possible.