By Elana Gordon and Maria Carter
OVERLAND PARK, Ks. – Another Kansas abortion provider is trying to join a federal lawsuit aimed at blocking new state licensing laws and health department regulations.
Aid for Women, a clinic in Kansas City, Kansas, filed a request Wednesday to intervene in a lawsuit filed by two doctors who perform abortions at their own office.
"I'm all for patient safety," says Jeffrey Pederson, manager of Aid for Women. "This is not about patient safety. This is all about making it [accessing abortions] more difficult."
The request came a day after Drs. Herbert Hodes and Traci Nauser filed their lawsuit. The two perform abortions at their Ob/Gyn practice in Overland Park.
Aid for Women already has been told by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that it won't receive the license needed to perform abortions as of Friday. Drs. Hodes and Nauser cancelled their inspection after filing the lawsuit Tuesday.
A hearing over the lawsuit has been scheduled for Friday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas.
A state board, meanwhile, approved the new licensing rules earlier today. The move was needed in order for the Kansas Department of Health to enforce the rules.
The rules take effect tomorrow, but they are temporary. A spokesperson with the Kansas Department of Health says they'll remain in effect for up to 120 days. Public comments will be taken during that time. Another state meeting will then determine permanent rules.
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