No one wants to rent office space to an abortion facility – at least, that's the implication of a statement made by a Planned Parenthood spokesman after an affiliate unexpectedly shut down an abortion office.
Late last month, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte announced that the San Benedito Health Center in Hollister, California, will close its doors this Friday. The location performs surgical abortions and provides the morning after pill.
The office posted a short announcement on July 31, announcing its closure and directing its visitors to other Planned Parenthood offices in Salinas, Watsonville, and Gilroy, California.
The decision took even some of its staff by surprise. Monika Hassler, a physician's assistant who has worked at the office since it opened, told San Benito County Today, “We were never told a reason.”
“I do believe it was financial but it would have been nice if they gave us a concrete answer,” she said.
Guadalupe Rodriguez, public affairs director of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, told the paper that Planned Parenthood officials are “very dismayed ourselves by the fact that we have to close a center.” After an exhaustive search, she said, the abortion provider was unable to find “a suitable location” to house the small office.
“I think one other thing that's of note is that – whether we like it or not – I think the clout of our name makes it a little bit harder for us to find places that will accept us,” she added.
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Amy Denney Zuniga, a minister at St. Luke's Episcopal Church next door, said she was “sorry to hear that they're closing, because” they offer “a very important service to the community.”
But the American Life League's Stop Planned Parenthood International said, “The closure of Planned Parenthood is a blessing to the people of Hollister, which is home to the Hollister Pregnancy Center — a licensed medical clinic that offers pregnancy testing, STD testing, and counseling, along with limited sonograms, baby care items, and maternity clothing. In addition, another local health center is extending hours to accommodate women with obstetric and well-woman needs.”
Resources:
Hollister Pregnancy Center
483 5th Street
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: (831) 637-4020
https://www.hollisterpregnancycenter.com/