Missouri Health Department Has Until Today To Decide Whether To Renew License For State’s Last-Remaining Clinic
The court has said that the Missouri health department can't simply let the license lapse, and that it must make a decision whether to renew or reject it. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood appeared to escalate its fight with Missouri on Thursday when it stopped performing one of two state-mandated pelvic exams for women seeking abortions.
The Associated Press:
Missouri Faces Deadline To Decide On Abortion Clinic License
The battle over Missouri's only abortion clinic is back in court Friday, the deadline a judge imposed for the state to decide whether to renew the clinic's license. Missouri's health department allowed the St. Louis Planned Parenthood clinic's abortion license to lapse effective June 1. Rulings by St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer allowed the clinic to temporarily remain open. (6/21)
The Associated Press:
St. Louis Abortion Clinic To Defy State Over Pelvic Exam
Missouri's only abortion clinic, already facing the threat of losing its license, says it will defy the state by refusing to perform a required pelvic examination days before an abortion. Calling the exam requirement "disrespectful and dehumanizing," a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman confirmed that as of Thursday the St. Louis clinic no longer performs it during a consultation at least 72 hours before an abortion. Doctors do perform a pelvic exam at the time of the procedure. (6/20)
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin —
The Associated Press:
Republicans Urge Wisconsin Governor To Sign Abortion Bills
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers and abortion opponents on Thursday called on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to sign four abortion bills he has promised to veto, holding a rally just a few feet outside of his Capitol office. Abortion-rights advocates dressed as characters from the dystopian novel and TV series "The Handmaid's Tale" mingled with abortion opponents on a balcony overlooking the rally, with each side holding opposing signs. Republican lawmakers turned the typically private, procedural step of signing the bills that passed the Legislature into a public ceremony to increase attention on the measures. (6/20)
