WICHITA (AP) – A federal judge has refused to block enforcement of a new Kansas law restricting insurance coverage for abortions.

U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown on Thursday rejected a request from the American Civil Liberties Union for a temporary injunction while the group challenges its constitutionality. The ACLU filed a federal lawsuit in August.

The Kansas law took effect July 1. It prohibits insurance companies from offering abortion coverage as part of their general health plans, except when a woman’s life is at risk. Those who want abortion coverage would have to buy supplemental policies, known as riders, covering only abortion.

In his 19-page order, Brown said the ACLU had failed to back up its claim that legislators who passed the law this year primarily intended to create obstacles to obtaining abortions.