Planned Parenthood merger now completed

CEDAR RAPIDS – The merger between Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa, based in Cedar Rapids, has been completed, the agency announced today.

Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa operated sites in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque.

The two merged affiliates are working together under the name Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.

“We have been collaborating with PPECI on expanding services for many years,” president and CEO Jill June said in a news release. “This merger allows us to take advantage of increased efficiencies and economies of scale.”

The merger will provide new expanded services to women, men and families in East Central Iowa including adoption referrals, sexual assault exams, male cancer screenings, prenatal care, age appropriate education programming and more.

A spokeswoman said adding abortion and the use of telemedicine to dispense RU486, also known as the “abortion pill,” will be considered as demand is determined.

“At this time, nothing has happened yet,” she said.

June will continue in her role as president and CEO. The joint administrative office will remain in Des Moines.

Cedar Rapids will keep its clinic at 3425 First Ave. SE and Dubuque's site also will stay the same.

The merged affiliate will operate a total of 21 health centers in Iowa and four health centers in Nebraska.