An Alabama abortion facility that tried to transfer ownership to avoid an order from the state health department that it close after three women were injured in botched abortions will remain closed.
The Alabama Department of Public Health denied an application to take over operations of the New Woman All Women abortion clinic that was ordered closed by the state after 76 pages of health code violations were discovered.
Now, the Life Legal Defense Foundation informs LifeNews that efforts by the operators of the abortion clinic to reopen it have failed.
“A combination of shady practices, injured patients, and building code violations resulted in the culmination of a 76 page deficiency report filed by the Alabama Department of Public Health against (Birmingham, Ala.) New Woman All Women abortion clinic in March 2012. The report ultimately led to the revocation of clinic owner, Diane Derzis’, license to operate the facility and in May 2012 the abortion clinic was closed down,” LLDF explained in a statement today.
LLDF said, “Ms. Derzis teamed up with long time friend Kelley Rainwater to strike a deal that would allow Rainwater to serve as a straw person running the clinic for Derzis. The ADPH denied Ms. Rainwater’s request for a license. The decision was upheld on appeal in June 2012.”
It continued: “A few months later, Derzis and Rainwater were at it again. This time Derzis and Rainwater crafted a deal that appeared as though Derzis was selling the death business to Rainwater, but the money just didn’t add up. After receiving the application in October 2012, the ADPH requested numerous documents from Rainwater, which included a signed declaration by Ms. Rainwater that she would not employ or otherwise allow Derzis to be involved in the operation of the facility in any capacity. Additionally, the ADPH requested that Rainwater fix the numerous items that were out of compliance with the building facility itself. The deadline to correct the defects and submit the additional documentation was December 5, 2012. Rainwater obtained two extensions to comply, but ultimately was unable to substantiate the questionable sales agreement, provide the requested documentation, or correct the building code violations in a timely manner. On February 8, 2013, the ADPH confirmed that Ms. Rainwater’s application was denied.”
Rev. Terry Gensemer, executive director of Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life, is joyful about the news.
“Each day that this facility remains closed is one more day that babies are saved and women are safe from the dangers of abortion in Birmingham. We thank God for every victory in this battle to shut down NWAW,” he said.
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The pro-life legal group said it would continue to monitor any plans to reopen an abortion clinic at the former location of NWAW.
New Woman All Women came under scrutiny after pro-life activists documented two abortion patients being carried out of the clinic to awaiting ambulances and filed complains. The result was an inspection that found “multiple and serious violations of State Board of Health rules” according to the ADPH, prompting the order to close the clinic. The investigation found a third abortion patient was also transported to the hospital in recent months following a failed abortion.
