Thomas More Society Works to Shut Doors on Illegal Abortion Center in Ohio Thomas More Society Executive Director and Legal Counsel Denise Mackura (left) speaks at a press conference in Ohio on Feb. 29. Also pictured are Executive Director of Dayton Right to Life, Christi Dodson (center), and State Representative John White (right), who provided comments and information to the media and the public. (Feb. 29, 2008) The Chicago Pro-Life law firm the Thomas More Society, revealed in a press conference that the Ohio Department of Health has revoked the license of the Women's Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio on Feb. 14, 2008. This abortion facility, the last in Dayton, is owned and operated by Dr. Martin Haskell, nationally known for his pioneering and promotion of the partial birth abortion method. Despite having its license revoked, the facility is still in operation illegally. The Thomas More Society is preparing a Citizens Action Lawsuit to ask the courts to close the center if it continues to operate in violation of state laws. The press conference was held in Kettering, Ohio. Statements were made by the Thomas More Society, Ohio Right to Life and local public officials, including Ohio State Representatives. TMS Press Documents • Press release (PDF) • Press conference statement (PDF) • Case summary (PDF) Media Coverage • Audio: The Path (Choose Feb. 29, as the date) •  Women's Health Clinic Fights To Stay Open (Feb. 29, 2008) WHIO-TV •  Lawyer for abortion opponents call restraining order "judicial tyranny" Feb. 29, 2008 Dayton Daily News •  Other coverage on Feb. 28, 2008 ChristianNewsWire Night Watch World News Network Good News Daily Haskell's abortion facility performs approximately 2,600 abortions annually and has not been able to comply with Ohio's requirement that clinics not within a hospital must have a hospital transfer agreement to properly care for patients who are injured during abortions. This legal requirement applies to all free-standing surgical facilities in Ohio, not just abortion facilities. Dr. Haskell tried unsuccessfully to obtain an agreement; however because he is not an OB-GYN and does not have admitting privileges at any Dayton-area hospitals he was denied. “Haskell's abortion center must be closed,” stated Denise Mackura, Executive Director and Legal Counsel for the Thomas More Society. “He performs late-term abortions and has had several cases of complications and injuries reported over the last few years. It is the health of our sisters, mothers and daughters that is at risk if Haskell is allowed to keep his abortion facility in operation.” Haskell has been fighting state officials since 1999, when it was first discovered by a routine records search that he was operating without a license. Dr. Haskell brought his case before state and federal trial and appeals courts as well as state agencies and has repeatedly lost his bid to evade licensing and compliance with Ohio law. “We have to wonder why this abortion business has been allowed to operate in violation of state law for so long and has not been held to the same standards as other medical facilities,” said Mackura. “If the state of Ohio does not act, we will!”