MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The state of Alabama and the American Civil Liberties Union are sparring over the impact of Alabama's new abortion law.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson heard arguments today during a hearing in federal court in Montgomery.
The disputed part of the law requires abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges.
An ACLU lawyer argues the law will cause three of the state's five abortion clinics to close, making it difficult for poor women to obtain abortions.
A lawyer for the state says legislators approved the law to protect women's' health, and the clinics could hire qualified doctors.
Thompson previously blocked the law from taking effect. The judge says he will rule on the law before that order expires on March 24.