LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A judge has temporarily blocked Arkansas regulators
from imposing billing restrictions on three abortion providers, citing concerns
about the constitutionality of the billing law.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox on Tuesday said there’s a “substantial probability” that the law is unconstitutional.
The case stems from the state Board of Health deciding the clinics violated a state law that bars clinics from charging a patient seeking an abortion for related services during the 48-hour wait period before the procedure.
Fox noted he isn’t aware of any other state-imposed restrictions related to medical billing. He says the enforcement block will be in place until the case goes to trial or a higher court intervenes.
Lawyers for the state Attorney General requested a federal court take on the
case shortly after Fox’s ruling.
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