Planned Parenthood plans to offer abortions at clinics in Springfield and Joplin
JEFFERSON CITY — Planned Parenthood is preparing to offer abortions in Springfield and Joplin following a favorable decision from a federal judge, though top Missouri Republicans are vowing to keep fighting.
The health care organization, which provides abortions at its St. Louis clinic, touted the opinion of Judge Howard Sachs, who granted Planned Parenthood's request for an injunction blocking two abortion-related rules.
These rules, relating to ambulatory surgical center (ASC) regulations and requirements for doctors to have certain privileges with nearby hospitals, are similar to those in Texas that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down last year. Planned Parenthood has argued that the rules are onerous and medically unnecessary, while the state defendants — including Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson — have made claims to the contrary.
In granting Planned Parenthood's request for relief, Sachs noted that "the Springfield-Joplin area is notably unserved" and said Randall Williams, director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, has made it clear that he would not voluntarily nix the rules in question.
Read more: http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2017/04/20/planned-parenthood-plans-offer-abortions-clinics-springfield-and-joplin/100689296/