PHILLIP RAWLS
Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge says he intends to rule by the end of July on whether Alabama can enforce a new law requiring doctors at abortion clinics to have approval to admit patients to nearby hospitals.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson wrapped up a three-week trial Monday in Montgomery. He has put enforcement of the law on hold until he rules.

In closing arguments, American Civil Liberties Union attorney Alexa Kolbi-Molinas said the law will close three of five of the state’s abortion clinics because they use out-of-state doctors who can’t get admitting privileges.

She said eight other states now have laws similar to Alabama.

Alabama’s solicitor general, Andrew Brasher, says the traveling doctors haven’t tried to get admitting privileges.

Both sides predict an appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court, no matter how Thompson rules.

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