A state hearing officer is taking under advisement a request by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts to temporarily suspend the medical license of Dr. Stephen Schneider, which would result in his Haysville clinic being closed.

Schneider's sister-in-law Pat Hatcher says she hopes that does not happen. "Because right now our main concern is about the patients that are left." She says.

Schneider and his nurse wife are accused of illegally prescribing pain medication that led to at least four deaths.

Kelli Stevens, Board Attorney, says the clinic violates state law because it is not being run by a licensed physician, only a physician's assistant.

Schneider's lawyer argued for temporary limitations on his
medical license, rather that suspension. Such limitations would
allow his clinic to remain open.

The hearing officer has 30 days to issue a decision. In the meantime, Dr. Schneider's clinic remains open.