Late-term abortion doctor Martin Haskell loses court battle to keep clinic open

An Ohio judge ruled that a late-term abortion clinic must be closed and the physician must stop the practice which has been banned.

Martin Haskell, who owns the facility, has sued the Ohio Department of Health after it initially ordered Haskell to close down the business. According to the department, the facility does not meet the minimum medical safety standards required by Ohio law. After being issued a “stay” Judge Jerry Metz ruled to uphold the decision by the Ohio Department of Health.

“Shutting down Haskell’s facility is a long-sought victory for the pro-life movement,” said Stephanie Ranade Krider, executive director of Ohio Right to Life. “As the self-proclaimed ‘poster child’ of partial birth abortion, Martin Haskell has endangered southwest Ohio children for the last 30 years. We are hopeful that this will be the final order that puts Haskell out of business in Sharonville.”

The abortion doctor’s facility operates as an Ambulatory Surgical Facility and must maintain hospital transfer agreements. Haskell has no such agreement and without one, he cannot be legally licensed. 

Haskell’s Med Center could appeal to the First Appellate District Court of Appeals or appeal to the court for another stay. He has fourteen days to file such an request.

“Judge Metz has now protected women’s health and safety by enforcing lawful medical safety requirements,” said Paula Westwood, Executive Director, Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati. “We are cautiously optimistic, as we do not know whether Martin Haskell will appeal to the next court.”

In the 1990s, Haskell helped develop the now-banned practice of “Partial-Birth Abortion.” The doctor has become a target by pro-life activists, especially since 2012 when a woman was transported to a local hospital after compllications. His 911 phone call included a joke, which you can read more about HERE