Planned Parenthood closing 4 Iowa clinics, 2 in Corridor

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland will close four Iowa health centers, including two in the Corridor, in Ankeny, Fort Dodge, Mount Pleasant and Washington, and discontinue its family practice services effective Dec. 12.

“The Board had to make many difficult decisions, but to remain a strong, viable organization we need to change how we are operating to better meet the needs of our patients," said Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Board Chair Bob Shaw, in a statement. "The demographics of our patient base are shifting. Our organization must focus our limited resources where our patients are located."

The organization said in a press release that fewer than 10 percent of Iowa patients visit the Ankeny, Fort Dodge, Mount Pleasant and Washington health centers, which all have limited hours.

"Re-organizing our health centers allows us to provide more direct services and expanded clinic hours at our other health centers,” Shaw said.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is also consolidating two Tulsa, Okla., health centers into one centralized location. Following the closures on Dec. 12, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, which provides reproductive health care services to residents in Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska and eastern Oklahoma, will have 21 health centers, including 16 across Iowa.

“We face many challenges with the evolving health care system, hostile political environments, and restricted funding programs," said Planned Parenthood of the Heartland President and CEO Jill June, in a press release. "We have the best interest of our patients in mind and we will do all we can to ensure that we will continue to be here for patients, no matter what.”