Planned Parenthood CEO: Missouri is trying to ‘weaponize’ abortion regulations

Planned Parenthood CEO Leana Wen said that Missouri is trying to “weaponize” abortion regulations after the state has refused to renew the license for the organization, its only abortion provider. 

“What they are doing is to weaponize the inspection process and to politicize it,” she said, noting requirements that have been placed on abortion clinics such as wider hallways and required pelvic exams.

{mosads}“All of these regulations have only one purpose, which is to shut down the ability of health centers to provide safe, legal abortions, which is not going to stop abortion, but it will stop safe, legal abortions,” Wen added while appearing Wednesday on “CBS This Morning.”

She also said that Planned Parenthood staff in Missouri has “seen this coming for years.” 

“This is a warning to everyone in the country because this is not a drill,” said Wen.

Missouri’s last abortion clinic could be shut down on Friday because the state is refusing to renew @PPFA‘s license. @PPFA is now suing to keep providing abortions at that clinic.

CEO @DrLeanaWen tells us the St. Louis clinic staff have “seen this coming for years.” pic.twitter.com/C6Rw3is9Ct

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 29, 2019

Planned Parenthood is suing Missouri over the refusal to renew the license and will have an emergency court hearing on Wednesday. The move comes as a series of states have passed laws to restrict abortion rights.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) last week signed a bill banning abortion at eight weeks.