Louisiana Covid-19 Order Challenged by Abortion Providers (1)

Abortion providers in Louisiana are suing the state’s health department and attorney general over a coronavirus-related order that officials allegedly are threatening to use to ban the procedure.

The order, entered by the Louisiana Department of Health March 21, doesn’t specifically address abortion. It directs medical providers to postpone nonessential procedures during the pandemic to promote social distancing and maintain critical medical supplies. It has no expiration date.

Attorney General Jeff Landry urged the department March 28 to say that abortions fall within the order’s guidelines and are nonessential services, a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the ...