(CBS) – The last remaining abortion clinic in Missouri says it expects to be shut down this week, effectively ending legal abortion in the state. In a statement Tuesday, Planned Parenthood said Missouri’s health department is “refusing to renew” its annual license to provide abortion in the state. If the license is not renewed by May 31, Missouri would become the first state without a functioning abortion clinic since 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided. Planned Parenthood would still be able to provide non-abortion health services for women in Missouri.
Planned Parenthood said it plans to sue the state “in order to try to keep serving Missouri women.” “This is not a drill. This is not a warning. This is a real public health crisis,” said Dr. Leana Wen, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. A call and email to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services were not immediately returned. Representatives for Planned Parenthood told CBS News that the upcoming deadline follows weeks of back-and-forth with state health officials. READ MORE
