Local doctors, women health advocates speak out about possible South Bend abortion clinic
SOUTH BEND — Around 25 local doctors and women health advocates are voicing their concerns about an abortion clinic wanting to come to South Bend.
They addressed the St. Joseph County Council Tuesday.
The issue wasn't on the council's agenda, but they used the public comment period to speak about what they say is a concern for women in the county.
They're concerned about the medical process to have an abortion and what they call a "bad track record" for these types of facilities.
Whole Woman's Health wants to make South Bend it's next site for an abortion clinic, but more than 20 doctors, nurses and health advocates spoke against the process of the abortion.
“We see complication rates across a wide variety of studies. Those complications include things like hemorrhages. Some of those require transfusions in the five to seven-percent category. Infections that can lead to sepsis and even death," said Justin, resident physician at local hospital.
They claim the clinic would use a chemical-only technique to abort the baby.
Local OBGYN David Parker says he's seen women who regret their decision.
"In my practice, I've seen patients who have taken the first pill the mifepristone pill and have experienced regret and they have come to me asking me to help them. I don't want my baby to die what can you do?" said Parker.
In a statement Tuesday, Amy Hagstrom Miller, the president and CEO of Whole Woman's Health, says the clinics are "committed to improving people's lives by providing access to the best medical care, which included the full range of reproductive health services for women."
Granger Family Physician Laura McGuire says she's concerned about the former South Bend abortion clinic, which was shut down after failing to procedures to the state.
"We know that there is an organization here that has the same kind of profile as Dr. Klopfer wanting to come back in our town," said McGuire.
Miller says her group respects "all peoples beliefs and are here to serve women in the community who deserve access to our high-quality care."
The group that spoke out Tuesday wants the council to at least create a medical standard for the abortion clinic if it comes.
The entire statement from Whole Woman's Health is below:
“Whole Woman's Health of South Bend joins its sister clinics in Peoria, Illinois and Minneapolis, Minnesota to serve women in the Midwest with the highest quality care; treating the mind, the body and the heart with the dignity and respect Midwestern women deserve at a challenging time in their lives.
Women and families everywhere deserve access to high-quality reproductive health care, including safe abortion care.
Whole Woman’s Health has a long-standing commitment to providing that care with dignity and respect, and in areas where women's access to that care has often been denied.
We understand that abortion is a complex issue for many people and it often involves a deep examination of people's feelings and beliefs. We know women don't only experience unplanned pregnancy as a medical issue; we know it often involves a deep examination of peoples values. We respect all peoples beliefs and are here to serve women in the community who deserve access to our high-quality care.
Access to quality abortion services has been continually decimated in Mike Pence’s Indiana communities, such as South Bend, and at Whole Woman’s Health we are committed to improving people’s lives by providing access to the best medical care, which included the full range of reproductive health services for women.”
