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Oklahoma County District Court Hears Abortion Challenge Monday

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The Oklahoma County District Court will take up the constitutionality of an Oklahoma law that restricts non-surgical abortions in a hearing on Monday. 

The law restricts medication abortions after 49 days of pregnancy. 

Governor Mary Fallin signed the bill into law last year but it was blocked by the state Supreme Court. 

The Center for Reproductive Rights brought the lawsuit. Staff attorney Zoe Levine says the Oklahoma law would prohibit the use of an evidence-based protocol, which abortion advocates say is the most up-to-date and superior method of providing abortion drugs to women.

Levine says that restriction forces doctors to use an outdated protocol that was in effect ten years ago.

“We are confident that the judge will see that the Oklahoma legislature has again gone too far in terms of restricting access for women in Oklahoma to the safest and most effective method that they and their doctor believe are best for abortion in Oklahoma," Levine said.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked the measure last fall so that it wouldn’t go into effect while litigation was pending.

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Jacob McCleland spent nine years as a reporter and host at public radio station KRCU in Cape Girardeau, Mo. His stories have appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, Here & Now, Harvest Public Media and PRI’s The World. Jacob has reported on floods, disappearing languages, crop duster pilots, anvil shooters, Manuel Noriega, mule jumps and more.
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