[Banfield:] A judge has issued a legal reprieve to the only abortion clinic in Mississippi. The Jackson Women's Health Organization was just about to shut its doors today because it hasn't been able to fulfill some requirements of a brand-new state law that's gone into effect. The law is called HB-1390. It's a law that requires that Mississippi abortion providers have to do two things. Number one, they have to be OBGYNs. OK. Got that. But number two, they have to have privileges at an area hospital, lawmakers saying just in case the patient has to be admitted. That's where things get tricky. On Sunday, a judge issued a restraining order blocking that law until a hearing can be done on the 11th of July, when the clinic's petition against the law can be heard. The lawmaker behind the bill says he's disappointed.
[Sam Mims , Mississippi State House:] The bill was signed April 16th, over 70 days ago, so the facility has had plenty of time to be in compliance. But again, this is a health issue, in my opinion. And I just wish that it would have become law it is law, but I wish it would have been enforced on July 1st.
[Banfield:] Well, it wasn't enforced on July 1st because of this restraining order. And joining me now is the clinic's owner and president, Diane Derzis. Ms. Derzis, thanks so much for being with me today. So break this down for me. What is the problem with these two requirements? Why is it difficult to fulfill, A, being an OBGYN and B, having privileges at the are hospital?
[Diane Derzis, Clinic Owner:] Ashleigh, actually, our physicians are all board-certified OBGYNs, so that's not the problem. One of my physicians has admitting privileges at a hospital and certainly has the ability to admit a patient. That's not what this is about. Admitting privileges have nothing to do with safety. They have a that's a financial relationship between a doctor and a hospital. My doctors are not local. They have no patients to see them. I am not of interest to a hospital. But nevertheless, we have done everything we can to apply for privileges. We're in the process of doing that now. It's a lengthy process. So that's where we were. We were not finished with that, and that's why we had to file the temporary restraining order.
[Banfield:] So Ms. Derzis, those who support this law say this is all about safety. This is not political. It's about making sure that if something goes wrong at the clinic, the doctor who's performing the abortion can go right with the patient over to the hospital and be by that patient's side and do everything they can to make sure a catastrophe doesn't happen. And to that end, I got a response from Mississippi's governor, Phil Bryant. Through his spokesperson, Governor says this. "Governor Bryant believes HB-1390 is an important step in strengthening abortion regulations and protecting the health and safety of women. The federal judge's decision is disappointing" that being the one to block this law from going into effect "and Governor Bryant plans to work with state leaders to ensure this legislation properly takes effect as soon as possible." Well, on its surface, that doesn't sound like a problem. That sounds like it's all about the safety of the patients. Why is that anything other than it sounds like?
[Derzis:] Well, it's actually actually Governor Bryan has not ever used the words "safety and health of the patient" until now, when it has been pointed out to him he's using the words "can't wait to put the only abortion clinic out of business." This is not about safety. Abortion is the safest medical procedure done in this country today. It's 9 to 14 times safer than childbirth. My physician has admitting privileges. This clinic has a transfer agreement with the local hospital. That is not the option. There's not a problem here with complications. We are in excellent standing with the health department. We have been issued our 2013 license. This is a political maneuver only. And these guys haven't even been subtle about it. Throughout this entire ordeal, safety has never been mentioned. Putting the clinic out of business has been. Now that they've been aware that safety is actually part of a process, they're trying to catch up. But it's obvious here what's going on.
[Banfield:] OK. Well, let me ask you this. You've got nine days until the next hearing on this issue. That's how long this order blocking this law is in effect. And I'm just curious as to why you might not be able to actually meet the requirements. I know a lot of those doctors are from out of state, but can you get through the red tape? Can you get them privileges at the hospital? And no harm, no foul. You can go back to business.
[Derzis:] Ashleigh, the application itself was 50 pages long. You know certainly what bureaucracy is involved in any hospital process. Now, add to that the hundreds of phone calls these hospitals and the CEOs are getting daily about not giving the only abortion clinic in Mississippi privileges. Couple that with the thought of a hospital having picketers in front of it every day, and I can assure you these hospitals are quaking in their boots. So you know, you might want to put a call in to a few hospitals and see what kind of response you get for that. This is frightening that you're talking about women's health care, and you're a woman. Think about what that means to you, that intimidation and fear alone is what they're using under the guise of safety. This is political.
[Banfield:] Well, I'm also trying to play the devil's advocate against you because there are two positions here. You've had 70 days up until now. You got another 9, 79 days. Is it impossible to fulfill these requirements?
[Derzis:] Well, why don't you call the hospital and ask them.
[Banfield:] I'm asking you. Can you fulfill these requirements in 79 days?
[Derzis:] It depends on whether a hospital is willing to do that. I don't know what the answer is. I can tell you that we've been calling them weekly and have not received a response, so perhaps CNN can call and find out what is the normal time period on that.
[Banfield:] All right, Diane Derzis, I'm very appreciative of you coming on and talking with us. And we'll follow the story, find out...
[Derzis:] Thank you, Ashleigh.
[Banfield:] ... what shakes down on the 11th. And we'll look forward to a follow up with you. Thanks for being with us.
[Derzis:] Thank you.
[Banfield:] And joining us live with us from that state of Mississippi. And look at this state of Colorado, firefighters gaining ground, yes, but look at what the fires have left behind. Look at what people are coming home to. Yes, this was home. CNN's cameras taking you up close and personal in a moment.