As Missouri's Last Abortion Provider Nears Closing, Neighboring Clinics Prepare

[Demovictory9]

https://www.npr.org/2019/05/31/728566814/as-missouris-last-clinic-nears-deadline-neighboring-abortion-providers-prepare

Providers such as King in neighboring states say they're watching the situation and expect to take additional patients from Missouri.

"[This] is happening much more quickly than any of us anticipated, so we're really scrambling" to communicate with patients and open up additional appointments for abortions in the coming days, King said.

Michele Landeau of Gateway Women's Access Fund, which helps Missouri women pay for abortions, said her organization is looking at ways to connect patients with clinics outside the state and help arrange for transportation, childcare and other needs.

"People are confused, and they're scared, and it's pretty chaotic-feeling right now," Landeau said.

Abortion providers in other neighboring states said they're expecting additional patients from Missouri and are planning accordingly.

"We will do our very best to serve any women from Missouri that need to see us," said Rebecca Terrell of CHOICES health center in Memphis, Tenn. "It may be that we have to add hours; we may have to open on a Saturday; we may have to make some changes, but we will make sure that everybody gets seen."

In Wichita, Kan., Julie Burkhart of the Trust Women clinic said she would expect to see more patients from central, southern and western Missouri if the St. Louis facility stops providing abortions. She said her facility might look at expanding its hours, but it would take time to hire, train and license new staff members.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. There is at least temporary good news! Link below:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142323110

[Demovictory9]

4. thanks

[MuseRider]

2. For those on the West of the state

Kansas is open for business.

Welcome, your state lost its mind but ours found our minds again.

[FBaggins]

3. Not as large of a change as many assume

Most of the population of Missouri is in and around either St. Louis or Kansas City. The clinic in danger of closing is in St. Louis and while... yes... it's the only remaining clinic in the state. There's one about five miles away on the other side of the river.

Memphis was already more convenient for many potential patients in Missouri. That doesn't change much if the last PP location closes.

Similarly... I can't imagine how many clients the Wichita, Kansas clinic expects to get from the St. Louis clinic closing... when virtually all of those patients would have to drive 100+ miles beyond the PP clinic in Kansas City (right over the border) to get there.