Ohio pulls license of 1 of state's last few abortion clinics

Ohio has revoked the operating license of one of the state's few remaining abortion clinics on grounds it failed to obtain a required transfer agreement with a nearby hospital for emergencies.

Women's Med Center of Dayton has 15 days to appeal Wednesday's order and says it will.

Department of Health Director Rick Hodges said the license is being revoked because the facility failed to name an adequate number of physicians to provide backup care. His order falls in line with recommendations of an independent hearing officer.

Ohio requires ambulatory surgical facilities to have emergency backup agreements with nearby hospitals or to obtain a variance from that requirement.

Public hospitals may not participate in transfer agreements and Dayton-area obstetricians have been intimidated by abortion opponents as the clinic sought additional backup doctors.