"There is no justification for shutting our doors now," Boyer told the judge. "The department is conditioning our ability to renew our license on these interviews. We couldn't comply even if we wanted to. They're not our employees."

John Sauer, a lawyer for DHSS, argued Thursday that the doctors' refusal to be interviewed as part of the investigation is "unprecedented" and that the clinic has the burden of forcing the physicians to cooperate. He said it is common to seek interviews with people who work in health care facilities as part of the license renewal process.

"We've raised serious concerns that need to be addressed," Sauer said of the department's investigation.

The impasse between the state and Planned Parenthood, Sauer said, was "created by the refusal of the doctors to cooperate and the failure of the regulated entity to induce them to cooperate." He also said Planned Parenthood shouldn't have sued — its complaints should have been heard by a license renewal commission instead of state courts.

On Friday, Parson signed a law prohibiting most abortions eight weeks into a pregnancy. The law takes effect Aug. 28.