Appeals court temporarily blocks order seeking NYC hospital's abortion rec

[Judi Lynn]

Appeals court temporarily blocks order seeking NYC hospital's abortion records

Friday, April 23
By LARRY NEUMEISTER
Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK --
A federal appeals court on Thursday temporarily blocked enforcement of a judge's contempt order against a New York hospital that refused to turn over abortion records. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said that although it lacked the information needed to issue a ruling, there was "sufficient merit" to hospital arguments to grant a stay. It set oral arguments for May 11.

The refusal by New York-Presbyterian Hospital to turn over the documents has delayed the conclusion of a federal trial in Manhattan to decide the constitutionality of a new law banning some abortions.

Judge Richard C. Casey has ordered the hospital to turn over the records, excluding names and other information that might allow someone to identify the patients. He agreed with government lawyers that the records would be helpful to the case, and found the hospital in contempt of court Tuesday after it refused to submit the documents.

In its order Thursday, the appeals court said the privacy and confidentiality interests of the hospital and its patients might be irreparably harmed if it did not block the contempt order.
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http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040422/APN/404220527

[freetobegay]

1. Freepers must be swinging from the trees on this one!

eom

[Supormom]

2. Will this nightmare ever end?

I'm looking forward to a HUGE turnout on Sunday!