Clinics scramble to divert patients as states ban abortion
Associated PressThey call her, desperate, scared and often broke. “There’s a lot of misinformation.” In Missouri, where abortions were already severely restricted, a new ban took effect Friday that only allows the procedure in “cases of medical emergency.” Kansas City leaders are weighing a $300 stipend to help employees travel for an abortion. “It’s kind of an American nightmare that we’re scrambling to find health care like this,” said St. Louis Alderwoman Annie Rice, adding that she anticipated the measure would pass by mid-July. “We’re not giving up,” said the clinic’s owner, Diane Derzis, who plans to open a new abortion clinic called the Pink House West early next month in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Pennsylvania abortion seekers also could be forced to travel, said Susan Frietsche, a staff attorney for the Women’s Law Project, which represents abortion clinics in the state.