{"id":292841,"date":"2023-06-09T18:45:19","date_gmt":"2023-06-09T23:45:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=292841"},"modified":"2023-06-08T19:04:11","modified_gmt":"2023-06-09T00:04:11","slug":"indiana-abortion-business-closes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/indiana-abortion-business-closes\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana abortion business closes amid pro-life victories in state"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Whole Woman\u2019s Health abortion business in South Bend, Indiana, is closing its doors after years of fighting with the state over licensing and pro-life restrictions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whole Woman\u2019s Health President Amy Hagstrom Miller reportedly made the announcement on Monday and the facility surrendered its license this week. According to <\/span>ABC 57<\/span><\/a>, the business hadn\u2019t performed abortions in months and although closing its doors, will continue referring patients to to other abortion facilities in Indiana or another state.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are devastated to mark the end of our physical presence in South Bend,\u201d Hagstrom Miller said, according to the <\/span>Indiana Capital Chronicle<\/span><\/a>. \u201cThis journey started over seven years ago when we were asked to come fill the need for abortion care in the community. Over the years we have worked with community allies, local officials, and legal counsel to ensure that we could provide the care that our patients deserved.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Associated Press<\/span><\/a> reported that patients were unable to physically visit the abortion business since December of 2022. Data reportedly showed that it provided 355 medication abortions in 2021 but Hagstrom Miller said it was able to provide much more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Target<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cEven while navigating relentless attacks on our staff, medical providers, and clinic building \u2014 we were still able to serve over 1,000 patients for medication abortion care in our small but mighty South Bend clinic,\u201d she said. \u201cWhile we no longer provide abortions in our South Bend clinic location, our resolve to help Hoosiers is as strong as ever.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whole Woman\u2019s Health was part of a lawsuit challenging Indiana\u2019s near-total ban on abortion but withdrew its name from the suit on Monday, <\/span>WVPE<\/span><\/a> reported. That law was reportedly halted in the court system in September and December. It\u2019s now under consideration of the state\u2019s supreme court.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hagstrom Miller noted: “It’s difficult to recruit staff, it’s difficult to recruit doctors into that environment with an uncertain future. We had to make the very tough decision that we can’t operate in that environment of hostility and uncertainty any longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whole Woman\u2019s Health spokesperson Jared Lathrop called out \u201conerous restrictions\u201d for playing a role in the facility\u2019s closure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThings like physical plant regulations, doctor-only laws, the 18-hour waiting period, the admitting privileges requirements, the hostile environment for our doctors to practice in, and the uncertainty of Indiana\u2019s abortion ban \u2013 all of these layers make it impossible for us to keep our clinic open,\u201d said Lathrop.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Live Action News previously <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a>, the clinic has encountered issues with complying with requirements from the state\u2019s health department but was nonetheless granted temporary permission to operate in 2019. It was one of seven abortion facilities in the state and the sole abortion provider in South Bend. The next nearest abortion business <\/span>is 100 miles away<\/span><\/a> in Chicago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Based on the organization\u2019s own statements, it appears the facility\u2019s closure will likely save many lives. While some like the <\/span>National Abortion Federation<\/span><\/a> lamented the news of its closure, others celebrated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA great day for life in Indiana!\u201d tweeted Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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A great day for life in Indiana! https:\/\/t.co\/GHRX9SoVu2<\/a><\/p>\n

— Congressman Rudy Yakym (@RepRudyYakym) June 7, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n