MADISON, Wis. -- Anti-abortion groups are condemning a University of Wisconsin plan to provide second-trimester abortions at a Madison clinic and questioning whether it's illegal.

UW Health spokeswoman Lisa Brunette said its gynecologists plan to begin performing abortions for patients between 13 and 22 weeks pregnant at the Madison Surgery Center. She said the plan needs final approval from the center's board, which could take action this month.

The Alliance Defense Fund is a Christian group that advocates for religious freedom. It publicized the plan today and sent a letter asking UW officials to stop it. The group said the plan might violate a state law that prohibits state or federal money from being used to pay doctors or clinics to perform abortions.

Brunette said state-paid doctors would provide the services but its lawyers are comfortable the plan is legal. She said the abortions themselves would be paid for by insurance and patient fees, not public money.

Brunette said the December retirement of Dr. Dennis Christensen has left no area clinic that performs such abortions and some physicians believe there is a public health responsibility to do so.

The Alliance Defense Fund also said it is worried employees who object to abortion will be forced to take part in them. Brunette said they will be allowed to opt out.