Missouri could become first state with no abortions
Planned Parenthood told it must comply with state health regulations or be shut down
Published: May 30, 2019
ST. LOUIS (CNS) — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has told Planned Parenthood officials it will not renew its St. Louis clinic’s license expiring May 31 unless the clinic makes changes to comply with various state health regulations.
The Planned Parenthood clinic is the only abortion facility in Missouri. If it closes, Missouri will be the first state without an operating abortion facility since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on Roe v. Wade in 1973. Women who want an abortion would have to go to the neighboring state of Illinois.
CBS News May 28 quoted Planned Parenthood officials as saying that the state health department had informed them May 20 that the facility might lose its license.
According to the news report, state health officials said the clinic must provide state-mandated counseling services, conduct an additional pelvic exam on a woman prior to performing her abortion and resolve what health officials described as “deficient practices” by doctors at the clinic.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson was scheduled to hold a news conference midday May 29. Also, a hearing was planned that afternoon regarding Planned Parenthood filing for a temporary restraining order on actions by the state health department.
Dr. Leana Wen, Planned Parenthood’s CEO, said the possibility the clinic might close is “a real
Article source: https://www.arkansas-catholic.org/news/article/6076/Missouri-could-become-first-state-with-no-abortions