Debate over reproductive rights heats up in St. Joseph County

Nov. 10--MISHAWAKA -- A local debate is heating up over reproductive rights.

On one side, pro-choice advocates are supporting an effort by Texas-based Whole Woman's Health Alliance to launch an abortion clinic on South Bend's west side.

On the other side, pro-life advocates are focused on efforts to prevent the abortion clinic, which is planned to open in a space at 3511 Lincoln Way W.

On Thursday, the pro-choice side held a rally outside the Mishawaka office of U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski. They made a push for a law -- the Protect Access to Birth Control Act -- that would reverse changes approved by the administration of President Donald Trump, which allow employers to deny women insurance coverage for contraception on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions.

Whole Woman's Health Alliance, which operates abortion clinics in eight cities, has applied for a license with the Indiana State Department of Health. Its application is still under review.

The health department couldn't say how long the review process is expected to last, saying it has "requested additional information." The nonprofit has asked the state to revoke certain licensing requirements because it would provide only medical abortions -- not surgical ones.

Tension between the two sides of the debate played out during the rally, which was held by Pro Choice South Bend and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky.

Osceola resident Jenna Dyer, who is pro-life, stood across the street from the pro-choice crowd. She and her young sons held up large posters of aborted fetuses, and she shouted to alert the pro-choice crowd.

"I want to show them what they're supporting," she said. "Allowing an abortion mill in South Bend is not something Christians will stand for."

On the pro-choice side, Mishawaka resident Tiffany Klemm held a sign that read: "Keep Your Judgement Off My Eggs."

"Everyone should have a right to birth control because not everyone wants to be a parent," said Klemm, who was among a group of about 35 people who signed a petition supporting reproductive rights that was given to Walorski's office.

Walorski, who has publicly opposed the plan for the South Bend abortion clinic, said in an email that she supports federal changes that allow employers to deny birth control coverage, saying they shouldn't be "forced to violate their religious beliefs due to government mandates."

St. Joseph County Right to Life has launched a media campaign encouraging residents to take a stand against the clinic. Twelve billboards will be put up next week across the county, and yard signs are being distributed. Digital ads will be seen by county residents who use social media websites, and radio ads were recently launched by a handful of stations.

Right to Life's president, Tom Gill, thinks public opposition to the clinic could influence the health department's decision on the application. He said thousands of people have submitted petitions on the group's website, NoAbortionsSouthBend.com, to notify elected officials that they oppose the clinic.

"There may be very specific criteria for how they determine to issue a license," Gill said. "But if it's a close call, there could be some influence from public opinion."

But according to state law, public sentiment isn't one of the criteria under which the health department could deny a license. Among other reasons, a license could be denied if applicants are deemed irresponsible, don't meet minimum clinic standards, or if practices are found to be detrimental to patients.

The area hasn't had an abortion provider since November 2015. That is when Dr. Ulrich "George" Klopfer -- amid violations of state regulations -- dropped his appeal of the state's revocation of his medical license.

For its part, Pro Choice South Bend has encouraged people to make donations on the website of Whole Woman's Health Alliance to support the abortion clinic.

Jamie Morgan, director of the Pro Choice board, said Right to Life's efforts to stop the clinic are "narrowly focused," saying the community should strive to meet the "various reproductive needs" of women.

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