This Is How Far People In Missouri Will Have To Drive If Planned Parenthood Closes
byCaroline Burke
Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images News/Getty Images
The last clinic to offer abortions in Missouri could close by the end of the week if the state doesn't renew its license. That means people living in Missouri could end up having to travel out of state for access to a legal and safe abortion. The problem is, making that trip isn't always so simple. The abortion clinics near Missouri if Planned Parenthood closes are hundreds of miles away in some cases.
In response to this situation, Planned Parenthood has filed a restraining order against the state, according to CBS, in hopes that it'll restore the clinic's license to perform abortions. A judge will review this request on Wednesday.
Dr. Leana Wen, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement responding to the situation, “This is not a drill. This is not a warning. This is real and it’s a public health crisis.”
If abortion services at the clinic do cease on Friday, then Missouri will become the first state to offer no abortion care at all. Though abortions are still offered in other states, having to travel for the procedure could require a person to take time off work, potentially pay for a hotel room, and cover transportation costs, in addition to other expenses. On top of paying for the procedure itself, these added costs can make traveling for an abortion especially difficult for low-income people.
For those wondering just what type of burden people in Missouri will face without a single abortion clinic, here's how far they might have to travel to reach a clinic: