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A Missouri judge on Monday issued a preliminary injunction to keep the state's last remaining abortion clinic open.
Judge Michael Stelzer's ruling in favor of the clinic, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region, allows it to continue to perform abortions while a legal battle unfolds with state officials, CNN reported.
The Planned Parenthood clinic in May sued Gov. Michael Parson (R) and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) after the state refused to renew its license.
The license was set to expire on May 31. But Stelzer granted a temporary restraining order that precluded the license from expiring until he heard arguments from the clinic and the state, CNN noted.
The court reportedly ruled that DHSS would issue a decision regarding the clinic's license by June 21. A status review is also scheduled to take place on that date.
Missouri would become the only state in the U.S. without an abortion clinic if the facility loses its license to perform abortions. The clinic would still be able to offer other health care services.