Win for Patients: Reproductive Health Services' Abortion License Renewed

Statement from Yamelsie Rodríguez, president and CEO of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region:

“We are pleased to put the licensure issue to rest after more than a year of being targeted by Missouri’s health department. In a 97-page decision, the Administrative Hearing Commission rebuffed the false claims made by Randall Williams, noting the high-quality care we provide and the dedicated, expert medical staff who provide it. Following that decision, DHSS inspectors completed an on-site inspection. That process was prompt, the inspectors were cordial, and we appreciate the department’s work to issue the license.

“This abortion license, while critical to our ability to provide care, still cannot undo the harm that longstanding medically unnecessary policies in our state inflict on patients. We continue to keep our doors open, and can continue to care for all patients who choose to access reproductive health care, including safe and legal abortion, in Missouri and across the region.

“Governor Parson should use this episode as an opportunity to refocus himself on setting policies to improve the myriad public health crises ravaging Missouri, including the COVID-19 crisis, rising infant and maternal mortality rates and skyrocketing rates of sexually transmitted infections like syphilis. He waxes on about personal responsibility, but his personal responsibility as the governor of this state is to act in the best interest of those who live here.”

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