Planned Parenthood to no longer offer abortions in Appleton

Appling says people should denounce violence against abortions clinics, such as the deadly shooting at a Colorado Springs facility previous year, however, she does not believe Planned Parenthood is closing its Appleton facility is security concerns.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has been investing in upgrades at its Madison and Milwaukee facilities, Williams said, but the Appleton clinic is an older building and upgrades there would have cost almost $300,000.

Shortly after the Appleton facility suspended services, there was the fatal shooting at a Colorado Springs abortion clinic in November, in which three people were killed. As we reported previous year, the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Appleton, Wisconsin temporarily closed down because of….?

According to Planned Parenthood, the other 2 Wisconsin clinics in Madison and Milwaukee will still offer abortion services.

But Barnes said the closure of the Appleton clinic further restricts women’s access to health care, since women in the community have to travel to the Madison and Milwaukee clinics to receive the care they need.

“The security issue became paramount”, said Chris Williams, COO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

About 600 abortions were performed at the Appleton North clinic in 2014. Planned Parenthood says the reason is domestic terrorism.

Williams noted that there were not specific threats against the clinic at this time, but it has been the target of violence in the past.

But pro-life advocate calls the closure a victory for women in Wisconsin.

“Planned Parenthood likes to send the message that they are the only respite for women in crisis pregnancy situations or women who think they might be”.

Kathy Hartke, chairwoman of the Wisconsin section of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said the closing of the clinic would harm low-income women who can’t afford to travel hundreds of miles and an overnight stay to get an abortion. If Hyde were repealed, Planned Parenthood would certainly see more low-income women for abortions, decreasing the numbers of their future generations. The clinic suspended operations a year ago.

A separate Appleton clinic that provides birth control and cancer screenings will remain open.

Planned Parenthood conducted an evaluation of building security and security protocol and determined “the Appleton facility was just not going to be able to meet the stringent … approach that we need to take”, said Williams.

Staff at the Appleton clinic will be relocated to other Planned Parenthood locations in Wisconsin, officials said.

“We are always looking to increase access points for abortion services and will continue to do so – with the proviso that we can provide those services in a safe and secure environment for our clients and our staff”, Williams said.