Hearing begins on fate of Missouri’s lone abortion clinic

The fate of Missouri’s only abortion clinic is at stake. Planned Parenthood and the State of Missouri will plead their cases in front of Missouri’s Administrative Hearing Commission to decide whether the clinic in St. Louis can continue performing abortions. The all-day hearing begins today and is expected to last up to five days amidst a mass of demonstrators. St. Louis Police have been asked to provide extra security for the event which is taking place in downtown St. Louis’ Wainwright building.

The State of Missouri says they acted lawfully when it chose not to renew Planned Parenthood’s abortion license last May, citing concerns that include botched abortions that sent some women to the hospital. A judge has allowed the clinic to continue performing the procedure while the case is being settled.

A ruling isn’t expected until February at the earliest.

In the meantime, Planned Parenthood has built a new “mega” abortion clinic 15 miles from St. Louis in Fairview Heights, Illinois.