Planned Parenthood Opens in Dubuque

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Aug 21, 2008 at 4:54 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 21, 2008 at 5:15 PM CST

Dubuque - After months of speculation, Planned Parenthood is open for business in Dubuque.
The clinic will offer birth control, cancer screening and education for men and women. It will not perform abortions.

Members of Dubuque County's Right-to-Life spent the day picketing in front of the new center.

Neither rain nor short notice could stop these picketers from spreading their message in front of the new clinic on Central Avenue.

Dubuque County Right to Life Volunteer Ellen Markham said, "Planned Parenthood is not the health care agency that they say they are they say they are three whole businesses is to promote abortion."

But this Planned Parenthood center will NOT offer abortions. And it will NOT offer RU-486, also known as the abortion pill.

Joe Lock, Executive Director for Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa said, "we'll provide various kinds of oral contraceptives, condoms, the patch, the ring.”

Planned Parenthood faces strong opposition from Dubuque County Right to Life. That organization has spent the past several weeks fighting the new clinic from opening in Dubuque.

Lock said, "we're not here to have a fight we're here to open a health center that provides service to women and men who need it at a low cost or no cost fashion."

Members of Dubuque County Right to Life say they will stand here rain or shine as long as Planned
Parenthood is open for business."

Markham said, "oh no, nothing will stop us."

That could be a lengthy picket. Because Planned Parenthood says they are here for the long haul.

Planned Parenthood did not allow members of the media inside the new clinic today.
Lock says there are still finishing touches to be made in the clinic.
The organization plans to hold an invite only open house early next month.

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