Planned Parenthood clinic in Kentucky resuming abortions after halt

A Planned Parenthood clinic in Louisville, Ky., is set to resume performing abortions later this year after the state’s former governor halted the procedure.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky announced on Friday that abortions will resume at the Louisville clinic after it was granted a provisional license from state officials.

The license, which makes the center the second abortion provider in Kentucky, allows for abortions and other reproductive care to be performed starting in March.

“Kentucky has gone from one abortion provider to two, which is a significant win for reproductive health care in the state,” said Chris Charbonneau, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky. “All people in Kentucky deserve to make their own pregnancy decisions and to have access to safe and legal abortion.” 

Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R), a fierce opponent of abortion access, issued an order to halt the procedure at the Louisville center in 2016, leading to a protracted court battle. Bevin was unseated in November by Democrat Andy Beshear, who supports abortion access.

“Abortion is health care, and this license underscores the importance of elected officials who will champion reproductive health care issues and uphold Roe v. Wade,” said Charbonneau, referring to the 1973 Supreme Court decision that first legalized abortion.

Abortion access at the state level has been in the spotlight in recent months after a series of GOP-led states implemented various laws restricting abortions. Supporters of the campaign say they hope to trigger a court battle that could see the overturn of Roe v. Wade at the Supreme Court.