A few blocks from the Democratic National Convention , Planned Parenthood is offering free medication abortions and vasectomies at its mobile health clinic to demonstrate “what is possible when policies truly support accessible reproductive health care,” according to the agency. Physicians were providing abortions and vasectomies by appointment on Monday in Chicago and said they planned to continue doing so Tuesday. As of Monday evening, no appointments on Tuesday were available.
The Chicago Abortion Fund has also been distributing free emergency contraceptive at the site. “Tens of thousands of people are going to be traveling to Chicago (for the DNC),” said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, which covers the St.
Louis region and southwest Missouri. “I’m excited that we are able to demonstrate for the world in a state like Illinois — where we have supportive policies — we can do these things that are a little bit more creative.” The pro-reproductive rights event comes as abortion access is expected to take center stage at the DNC as well as the November presidential election.
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has been outspoken about her intent to restore federal abortion rights , blaming the 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade on Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump . Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s organization to promote abortion rights, Think Big America , is slated to host a panel Wednesda.