While Friday’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe Vs. Wade has no immediate impact on abortions in Pennsylvania, the future is still uncertain. Sara Dixon of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania says, “We do anticipate an influx of patients because of the Supreme Court ruling.” Getting a surgical procedure done locally is not a simple process. Dixon said there are only 13 free-standing abortion clinics in the state which perform them, none of which are in our area. “Right now, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania has one abortion clinic, and that is in downtown Pittsburgh. The rest of our clinics (in the region) are family planning clinics.” Family planning clinics are having their own problems. Locations in Johnstown and Somerset have been temporarily closed. The clinic closures are due to staffing issues.
