A new abortion clinic is set to open in southeast Kansas this fall, marking a significant development in the state’s reproductive health landscape. Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains announced the upcoming facility in Pittsburg, Kansas, which will offer a range of services including abortion procedures and pills, pregnancy services, contraception, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
Kansas has emerged as a regional hub for reproductive health services following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Since the reversal, the state has seen an influx of individuals from neighboring states with restricted access to abortion seeking services in Kansas. In fact, statistics from Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas show a significant increase in out-of-state patients traveling long distances for abortion services.
The new clinic in Pittsburg will provide a closer option for patients traveling from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and even as far as Louisiana and Texas, where abortion access is limited. In addition to abortion services, the facility will later offer gender-affirming services, filling a crucial gap in the region’s healthcare offerings.
The opening of the clinic comes amidst a changing landscape for abortion rights in the U.S., with many states enacting bans or restrictions on the procedure. However, the demand for abortion services remains high, leading to the establishment of new clinics to meet the needs of individuals seeking reproductive healthcare.