By John Hanna (AP)

The stories of girls who received late-term abortions in Kansas from the late Dr. George Tiller have become part of the record in the disciplinary hearing for a doctor who gave the second opinions that allowed the procedure to go forward.

They’re also part of the larger debate over abortion. Anti-abortion groups contend Tiller managed to do late-term abortions for social reasons when Kansas law meant to restrict them to emergencies.

Dr. Ann Kristin Neuhaus (NOO’-hows), the physician who provided the second opinions, faces a complaint before the State Board of Healing Arts that she was negligent in performing mental health exams for 11 patients, aged 10 to 18, in 2003.

She contends her care met accepted standards. Patient records were reviewed in a disciplinary hearing this week.