A recently opened abortion clinic in Pittsburg, Kansas, has sparked discussions about reproductive rights in this small college town in southeast Kansas, one of the few states in the region that still permits abortions.
Before the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, a religious, Republican-leaning semi-rural location like Pittsburg would have been an unlikely host for an abortion clinic, but the landscape is evolving.
Kansas, among five states, has become a go-to destination for individuals seeking abortions due to lack of access in their home states, according to economist Caitlin Myers from Middlebury College. Post-Roe overturn, there has been a 152% rise in abortions in Kansas, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Following the overturn of Roe, voters in Kansas had the opportunity to eliminate abortion rights from the state constitution, potentially leading to a complete ban. In Crawford County, where Pittsburg is located, 55% of voters opposed the proposal, aligning with the statewide trend where 59% voted against the amendment.
The newly established abortion clinic in Pittsburg will be operated by Planned Parenthood Great Plains, situated close to the Missouri border and within an hour’s drive from Oklahoma. With a shortage of appointments in larger metro areas, about 60% to 65% of those seeking abortion appointments at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas are turned away due to limited capacity.
While small clinics in towns like Pittsburg can offer a less overwhelming experience for individuals from rural areas, the lack of anonymity can be a concern in communities where religious and familial connections are deeply rooted. Pittsburg, with its increasing religious and Republican demographic, is home to a university and a mix of supportive and opposing views towards the new clinic.
The presence of the clinic has prompted training sessions at churches on protesting at the clinic, while Vie Medical Clinic, a crisis pregnancy center, has reported a rise in donations.
Overall, the opening of the abortion clinic in Pittsburg has brought the national debate on reproductive rights to the forefront in this small Kansas town.