Kansas Abortion Lawsuits Costly

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Two private law firms have been paid more than $913,000 to help the state of Kansas defend anti-abortion laws enacted since conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brownback took office.

The attorney general’s office disclosed the figures in response to requests from The Associated Press. The payments included $126,000 for the defense of new restrictions enacted earlier this year.

President and CEO Peter Brownlie of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri called the spending "a travesty."

But Mary Kay Culp of Kansans for Life says it’s ridiculous to blame abortion opponents for the spending when abortion providers are filing the lawsuits.

Since Brownback took office in January 2011, legislators have approved regulations specifically for abortion providers and tighter limits on late-term abortions. They’ve also restricted private health insurance coverage for terminating pregnancies.