Regulations passed by Allen County, Indiana, commissioners that require out-of-town doctors to provide detailed emergency contact information can go into effect, according to an August 11 ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert L. Miller Jr. Miller enjoined some of the provisions relating to patient records, the Journal Gazette reported, but pro-lifers applauded his approval of the majority of the ordinance.

"The Allen County Right to Life Committee is extremely pleased with this first round win supporting the efforts of the Allen County Commissioners to protect the well being of patients treated by itinerant physicians in our county," said Cathie Humbarger, executive director of Allen County Right to Life.

The ordinance is not limited to abortionists, but the challenge against the law was brought by Illinois resident Dr. Ulrich George Klopfer, who owns and works at the abortion clinic Fort Wayne Women's Health and who does not currently have privileges at an Indiana hospital, according to the News-Sentinel.

Passed in April, the ordinance "requires that out-of-town doctors provide contact information to area emergency rooms and the local health department. It requires phone numbers where the out-of-town doctors can be reached 24 hours a day, as well as written notification signed by the patient," according to the Journal Gazette.

It is this last provision that led to the injunction ordered by Miller. Health department officials would have authority to view the records of notification, which would include identifying information about patients. In his opinion, Miller questioned whether county health officials should be able to "leaf through medical records or files containing these signed forms to ensure compliance with the ordinance" and whether there was a "need to send unredacted patient identifying information to the Indiana State Medical Licensing Board."

Allen County can begin to enforce the other provisions relating to the provision of emergency contact information by doctors, the News-Sentinel reported. The county is still considering whether to appeal the injunction.

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