Context:

An abortion clinic in Colorado, which for over 50 years provided procedures for second and third-trimester pregnancies, recently closed, reducing the already limited resources for late-term abortions in the U.S. Dr. Warren Hern, the 87-year-old founder, expressed deep regret over the closure, attributing it to financial difficulties and dwindling patient numbers, despite the importance of the clinic’s work. Many women, like Hannah Brehm, sought out the Boulder Abortion Clinic due to medical conditions discovered later in pregnancy, which often necessitate difficult decisions to prevent suffering. Anti-abortion advocates celebrated the closure as a victory, while former patients and reproductive rights advocates worry about the impact on women who might need these services in the future. The demand for later abortions is rising due to stricter state bans, making access to such services more challenging, though a few clinics continue to operate across the country, offering limited late-term abortion services based on specific medical or fetal conditions.

Dive Deeper:

• The Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado, founded by Dr. Warren Hern, closed after over 50 years of providing second and third-trimester abortion services, significantly impacting the availability of such procedures in the U.S. Hern cited financial difficulties and the inability to continue operations as reasons for the closure, despite recognizing the clinic's essential role.

• Patients like Hannah Brehm and Sarah Watkins turned to the clinic for late-term abortions due to medical diagnoses, such as severe fetal abnormalities, that were only discovered during the later stages of pregnancy. These situations often leave couples with heart-wrenching decisions to prevent potential suffering.

• Despite the rarity of late-term abortions, constituting only about 1% of all abortions, the closure of the clinic reduces the already limited options for women facing such circumstances, particularly as more states enforce strict abortion bans.

• Dr. Hern's clinic was one of the few in the country to offer later abortions, and its closure marks a significant loss for reproductive rights advocates and patients who fear the diminishing access to necessary medical care.

• Anti-abortion groups have hailed the clinic's closure as a victory, while reproductive rights advocates stress the need for continued access to late-term abortion services, especially as more states restrict abortion access at earlier stages of pregnancy.

• The clinic faced significant challenges over the years, including threats, violence, and financial strains, which ultimately led to its closure. Dr. Hern, who innovated techniques and tools for late-term abortions, expressed deep disappointment, viewing the closure as a personal failure.

• Despite the closure, some clinics remain operational, offering limited late-term abortion services based on specific medical conditions, though the demand has increased due to stringent state laws and the need for women to travel long distances to access care.