Planned Parenthood to close some Iowa centers but increase capacity for rising abortions

Planned Parenthood will close some of its Iowa locations while increasing services at others to meet a rising demand for abortions.

Planned Parenthood North Central States provides abortions in Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. Leaders of the organization say they've performed 9% more abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer.

The number of patients traveling from other regions to seek abortions has risen 100% as many states have severely restricted abortion in the past year.

Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said patients are "more scared and more confused" than they were before.

“The shifting legal sands make it hard for patients to keep up, and that creates a chilling effect to accessing health care," Richardson said in a statement. "This new landscape is unfair — but in all honesty, it’s been unfair for quite some time for structurally marginalized communities.”

More: Abortion remains legal in Iowa as Supreme Court deadlocks. What to know:

However, as demand for abortions has increased, Planned Parenthood North Central States says it is facing a shortage of staff and increasing costs. Under the new plan, some staff members will "float" between health centers, and three Iowa locations will close.

"Consolidating locations will prevent the routine closing of health centers due to staffing shortages, ensuring that patients experience a continuity of care," said Mazie Stilwell, Planned Parenthood North Central States director of public affairs in Iowa.

Which Iowa Planned Parenthoods will stay open? Which will close?

Planned Parenthood North Central States announced it will expand abortion services in Ames, Cedar Rapids, Omaha and at the Susan Knapp Health Center in the Drake neighborhood of Des Moines.

Other locations will be consolidated with nearby health centers that provide abortions.

The Council Bluffs center will close sometime in the next year, with patients redirected to Omaha. The Rosenfield Health Center on the south side of Des Moines will be phased out in favor of the Susan Knapp Health Center and the Ames location.

"I must emphasize that, while the number of Planned Parenthood health centers will decrease, these changes will increase the number of patients that we can see," Stilwell said.

The Cedar Falls Planned Parenthood has been temporarily closed because of staffing shortages. Stilwell said that closure is now permanent for the same reason.

"This is an unfortunate reality that recruiting for sexual and reproductive providers has been a challenge in Cedar Falls in particular," Stilwell said.

Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood North Central States, attributed the staffing difficulties across the region to burnout of health care workers and "hostility" toward reproductive health care.

"There is a particular type of hostility toward the type of care we provide, and hostility toward Planned Parenthood, which adds an additional layer of stigma and stress in working for our organization," Traxler said.

What's going on with abortion in Iowa?

Abortion is currently legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Patients must wait at least 24 hours between their initial appointment and the procedure.

The Iowa Supreme Court earlier this month deadlocked on whether a six-week abortion ban should be enforced. The justices' inability to reach a majority decision means the law will stay blocked.

Iowa Republicans have been vocal opponents of abortion. They will likely attempt to pass a new law to restrict abortion in Iowa.

"The fight is not over," Gov. Kim Reynolds said after the high court's ruling. "There is no right more sacred than life, and nothing more worthy of our strongest defense than the innocent unborn. We are reviewing our options in preparation for continuing the fight."

Katie Akin is a politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at kakin@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @katie_akin.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Planned Parenthood consolidates sites as abortion demand rises