The medical emergency exception in Tennessee's abortion ban is unclear, a Tennessee court has ruled, barring the state from enforcing the ban in case of certain medical conditions while a lawsuit by doctors and women who say they were denied abortions goes forward.

Three judges in Tennessee issued an injunction that temporarily protects doctors in the state from being disciplined for performing medically necessary abortions.   The temporary injunction was issued Thursday in response to a lawsuit filed more than a year ago seeking to stop Tennessee’s abortion ban and require officials to clarify the “medical necessity exemption” under the current law.

In an ongoing court case, plaintiffs argue Tennessee's abortion ban is so vague doctors weren't performing medically necessary abortions out of fear.