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Oklahoma AG Appeals Ruling Blocking Abortion Ban During COVID-19 Emergency

Office of Attorney General

Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has appealed a federal judge’s ruling that allows abortions to continue during the state’s COVID-19 health emergency.

Hunter has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to stay the lower court’s temporary restraining order. Gov. Kevin Stitt included medication and surgical abortions in his executive order delaying minor medical procedures.

U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin ruled Monday Stitt’s order imposed requirements that effectively deny a right of access to abortion.

In his filing, Hunter said the restriction would limit interpersonal contact and reduce demand on hospitals dealing with serious complications of surgical abortions, like hemorrhage or uterine perforation. Those are rare.

Goodwin issued a temporary restraining order that blocks Sitt's ban on abortions through April 20.

The lawsuit was filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.
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