Ohio Health Department Revokes License of Last Dayton Abortion Facility Run by Notorious Partial-Birth Abortionist

Contact: Denise Mackura, Thomas More Society, 312-782-1680, 216-548-9108 cell, Denise@ThomasMoreSociety.org; Drew Schadegg, TC Public Relations, 312-422-1333, 773-331-4590 cell, Drew@tcpr.net  

DAYTON, Ohio, Feb. 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Friday, February 29, Chicago Pro-Life law firm the Thomas More Society, will reveal in a press conference that the Ohio Department of Health has revoked the license of the Women's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio on February 14, 2008. This abortion facility, the last in Dayton, is owned and operated by Dr. Martin Haskell, nationally known for his pioneering and promotion of the partial birth abortion method. Despite having its license revoked, the facility is still in operation illegally. The Thomas More Society is preparing a Citizens Action Lawsuit to ask the courts to close the center if it continues to operate in violation of state laws. The press conference will be held at 10 a.m. Friday morning in a meeting room at 1375 East Stroop Road in Kettering, Ohio. Statements will be made by the Thomas More Society, Ohio Right to Life and local public officials, including Ohio State Representatives.

Haskell's abortion facility performs approximately 2,600 abortions annually and has not been able to comply with Ohio's requirement that clinics not within a hospital must have a hospital transfer agreement to properly care for patients who are injured during abortions. This legal requirement applies to all free-standing surgical facilities in Ohio, not just abortion facilities. Dr. Haskell tried unsuccessfully to obtain an agreement; however because he is not an OB-GYN and does not have admitting privileges at any Dayton-area hospitals he was denied.

"Haskell's abortion center must be closed," states Denise Mackura, Executive Director and Legal Counsel for the Thomas More Society. "He performs late-term abortions and has had several cases of complications and injuries reported over the last few years. It is the health of our sisters, mothers and daughters that is at risk if Haskell is allowed to keep his abortion facility in operation."

Haskell has been fighting state officials since 1999, when it was first discovered by a routine records search that he was operating without a license. Dr. Haskell brought his case before state and federal trial and appeals courts as well as state agencies and has repeatedly lost his bid to evade licensing and compliance with Ohio law.

"We have to wonder why this abortion business has been allowed to operate in violation of state law for so long and has not been held to the same standards as other medical facilities," says Mackura. "If the state of Ohio does not act, we will!"

The Thomas More Society is a public interest law firm which provides legal counsel and defense for those who work to protect innocent human life.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST