Judge blocks Idaho from prosecuting doctors who refer patients out of state for abortions

Judge agreed with challenge led by Planned Parenthood that law goes against providers' rights to free speech

A US judge on Monday blocked the state of Idaho at least temporarily from prosecuting doctors who refer patients out of state to get an abortion, finding that would violate a medical provider's right to free speech.

Judge B Lynn Winmill of the federal district of Idaho agreed with a challenge led by Planned Parenthood that the interpretation of the Republican attorney general, Raul Labrador, of the state's criminal abortion law was chilling" to providers' rights to free speech under the first amendment of the constitution.