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Abortion in Iowa: One of Des Moines' 2 Planned Parenthood centers has closed

The East Army Post Road location was one of three Iowa centers impacted by a Planned Parenthood North Central States decision to shift resources back in June 2023.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Editor's Note: The above video originally aired in June 2023. 

Abortion services in Des Moines are shifting once again, as the Rosenfield Health Center has closed permanently. 

The East Army Post Road location was one of three centers impacted by a Planned Parenthood North Central States decision to shift resources back in June 2023. 

Procedures and staffing were to be divided between the organization's Ames location and the Susan Knapp Health Center, located in the Drake neighborhood of Des Moines. 

"We have added abortion services to our Ames health center. Eventually, abortion services will be moved to our Susan Knapp Health Center in the Drake neighborhood once we find a new location that fits our needs," PPNCS Communications Manager Sheena Dooley confirmed with Local 5. 

Abortion remains legal in Iowa up until the 20-week mark in pregnancy due to a 3-3 split in the Iowa Supreme Court that blocked Gov. Kim Reynolds' six-week ban in June 2023.

"This plan increases float staff in your health centers to meet the staffing needs. The staff will rotate between locations and fill multiple roles to better serve our patients in order to expand abortion access in Iowa and Nebraska," said Mazie Stilwell, PPNCS director of public affairs.

Officials said though the total number of locations will go down, patients receiving care will likely increase.

"We remain committed to providing our patients with the essential sexual and reproductive health care that they need. Every person deserves the right to control their bodies and futures. And these new changes will allow us to serve more patients and operate more efficiently in this ever-changing post-Roe landscape," Stilwell said.

Other impacted centers include Iowa's Council Bluffs and Cedar Falls locations. 

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