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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A Little Rock abortion clinic says it has provided six free abortions to Hurricane Katrina evacuees and will continue to provide the procedures free of charge for those displaced by the storm, despite protests from an anti-abortion group.
Little Rock Family Planning clinic director Jerry Edwards said he is helping pregnant evacuees by offering free abortions because later-term abortions are more dangerous.
"If we didn't provide it now, they would get it later – a late-term abortion that would give greater risk to the mother's health," he told Little Rock television station KTHV. Dr. Edwards' clinic is the only abortion clinic in central Arkansas.
Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, called Dr. Edwards' offer of his free services to hurricane victims "insensitive" and said he is risking further traumatizing women who have already lost their material belongings in the storm.
Ms. Mimms said Arkansas Right to Life has started its own drive to help pregnant Katrina survivors in a program called Operation Baby Box, which provides diapers, clothing and other supplies for newborns and their mothers.
Marvin Schwartz, spokesman for Arkansas-Oklahoma Planned Parenthood, said Dr. Edwards is providing women with a needed service.
A first-trimester abortion at the Little Rock clinic, if uncomplicated, costs $525 to $600, the clinic said Tuesday.
Planned Parenthood does not provide abortions but sees Dr. Edwards' clinic as a valuable part of women's health needs in central Arkansas and for Katrina evacuees now living in the region, Mr. Schwartz said.
http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stor
ies/DN-katrinaabort_28tex.ART.State.Edition2.129f215b.html
Posted by Editor at September 28, 2005 08:56 AM
