A Kansas City Planned Parenthood had to close temporarily this month after struggling since March to find an abortionist. Without one, the facility was unable to complete its June state inspection, and therefore was unable to renew its license, which expired on August 10. Unfortunately, the facility has now secured an abortionist and its license has been reinstated. The good news is, thanks to the state’s 72-hour mandatory abortion waiting period and the work of dedicated pro-lifers, Planned Parenthood is killing fewer preborn babies than it would like to.
According to Operation Rescue, the Kansas City Planned Parenthood commits abortions twice weekly; however, that number of abortions was lower than expected. This certainly isn’t because women are being told of other pregnancy options or are being given the truth about abortion at Planned Parenthood. On the contrary, the health inspector found that Planned Parenthood was not complying with Missouri’s informed consent law requiring patients to be given information on abortion risks and alternatives. Rather, what’s causing fewer abortions appears to be a state law requiring a 72-hour waiting period before a woman can have an abortion — three full days after going to the abortion facility for information.
READ: Guttmacher slams waiting periods, though study finds most women can abort within a week
“For example, during the first week of abortion services last September, eight out of eleven women who received informed consent for abortions failed to return,” reported Operation Rescue, “thanks to pro-life activists who offered assistance and information to Planned Parenthood’s potential abortion customers.”
The law allows women to have more time to gather information and think about their decision instead of being rushed into a same-day procedure. Because of this, along with the efforts of pro-life sidewalk counselors, 73 percent of the women that visit that abortion facility do not return for an abortion.
Sidewalk counselors are able to reach out to women as they exit the facility and provide them with information that the facility fails to give them on things like adoption and parenting resources available through pregnancy resource centers. The women are then able to confidently reject abortion and receive the support they need to continue their pregnancies.
“The Missouri pro-life community has been extremely smart and effective in enacting pro-life regulations and laws that protect women and their babies,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “Their activists have been helping women turn away from abortions by offering them information and practical assistance. Missouri should be looked to as a model for other states to follow.”
READ: Contrary to pro-abortion study, waiting periods save lives
Women don’t need abortion, but when they are feeling alone and afraid of the future, many turn to abortion believing it to be their only option. And abortion facilities, which make money from it, aren’t always willing and eager to share other options with vulnerable women.
With time to research abortion, speak with pro-lifers, and find support, women are empowered to freely choose life.
