Secret Investigation

    

TOPEKA, Kan. -- Attorney General Phill Kline is seeking the complete medical records of nearly 90 women who received late-term abortions to search for evidence of crimes, according to court documents.

The secret investigation began in October, according to written legal arguments filed Tuesday by two medical clinics that are opposing Kline's effort. They are asking the Kansas Supreme Court to intercede, saying if it doesn't, "a woman who exercised her constitutional right to privacy" could find government agents knocking at her door.

In the court case, clinics complain that they are prevented even from revealing to a patient that her medical records are being requested by the government. The "complete" medical records that Attorney General Kline is demanding would include the patient's name, medical history, psychological profile and sexual habits. Since Mr. Kline claims he requires the information to search for evidence of a crime, the clinics have offered to provide records with personal information removed.

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