CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Patients at Planned Parenthood sites in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque should not expect major changes after the local affiliate merges with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland next year, but abortions and other services could potentially be added, spokeswomen said.

Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa, which operates the Cedar Rapids and Dubuque locations, signed a management contract with the Des Moines-based organization, the groups announced Thursday, Dec. 9.

The merger will happen sometime in 2011, with the expanded organization based in Des Moines and known as Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.

“We want to retain our local presence and identity here in Cedar Rapids and in Dubuque,” said Vanessa Solesbee, board chairwoman of Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa.

Cedar Rapids will keep its clinic at 3425 First Ave. SE and Dubuque’s site will also stay the same, she said.

Solesbee and Jill June, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, said abortions and offering RU486 by telemedicine are among services being evaluated.

The Cedar Rapids and Dubuque clinics do not provide either at this time.

“There are no plans to offer those immediately,” June said.

Pro-life groups have rallied against the use of telemedicine to dispense RU486, also known as the “abortion pill,” calling the practice “dangerous push-button abortions.”

Doctors use a remote camera and special pill dispenser to prescribe the drug for patients in rural areas.

Iowa is the first state to offer the service, through Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.

Adoption is another service – offered by the Des Moines-based affiliate through Avalon Center – that is not yet offered in Cedar Rapids or Dubuque.

June, who will be president and CEO of the newly merged organization, said added services would depend on whether or not a need exists.

Solesbee said Joe Lock, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa, has resigned.

Lock could not be reached for comment.

Solesbee said Lock indicated he would pursue another non-profit management post.

Other staff positions will be evaluated.

“I can’t guarantee that all staff will retain their jobs, as is true with any merger,” Solesbee said.

Both Solesbee and June said the merger isn’t for financial reasons and that Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa has performed well financially.

“We are doing just fine,” Solesbee said. “We really want to work smarter, not harder.”

June said the merger should provide efficiencies in purchasing and technology. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland will have 25 medical centers after the merger.

Because health care reform will offer health care coverage for more Americans, more people will likely seek family planning and other services offered by Planned Parenthood, she added.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland serves about 75,000 patients annually. That includes Nebraska, which merged into the organization last year. Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa serves about 5,500 patients annually.

The merger will leave just one independent affiliate in Iowa: Burlington-based Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa.

June said there are no merger plans with Burlington at this time.