A federal judge is holding a hearing this week on an effort to block Arkansas' new law placing limits on the way the abortion pill is administered. U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker scheduled a hearing for Wednesday afternoon in the lawsuit by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.
The group has asked for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against the law, which requires abortion pill providers to follow guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The law takes effect Friday and also requires doctors providing the pill to maintain a contract with another physician who has specific admitting privileges at a hospital. Planned Parenthood said the new law would effectively end the availability of the abortion pill in Arkansas.