"They're saying that the environment here in Missouri is so hostile, that it's just so difficult to continue to jump through the hoops that they keep putting forward," she said.
Anyone seeking an abortion will now have to travel to St. Louis, Columbia or Overland Park, Kan.
The clinic, located at 1837 E. Cherry St., has operated for more than 30 years, providing gynecological services as well as abortions for women who were up to 16 weeks pregnant.
Anti-abortion groups hadn't expected the center to close.
"Wow. They're tired of fighting," said Dave Plemmons, chairman of the Springfield chapter of Missouri Right to Life and head of the statewide group's political action committee.
"We're really pleased," he said. "We consider this a big blessing, for whatever reason it occurred."
Turner-Collins said the decision was not based on the clinic's finances or patient safety record. No one affiliated with the facility was threatened or pushed into the decision, she said.
Last month, a New York-based abortion rights group working on behalf of the clinic filed suit against a new state law requiring that physicians who provide abortions have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. The statute also allows parents to sue in civil court anyone who "shall intentionally cause, aid or assist a minor to obtain an abortion" without the permission of the girl's parents or a judge.
U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughery temporarily blocked enforcement of the law Sept. 16, saying it effectively would end abortions at the clinic. The staff physician there held no admitting privileges at an area hospital.
Springfield Healthcare Clinic, because of its closing, is dropping the suit, Turner-Collins said.
In a separate case, Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles Atwell last month issued a temporary restraining order blocking the law from taking effect. Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri had filed suit seeking the order.
The organization operates abortion facilities in Columbia and Overland Park, Kan. Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region provides abortions in St. Louis.
Poor women who are seeking abortions but can't afford to travel to clinics elsewhere might be hardest hit by the Springfield facility's closure.
The new law also would require a 24-hour waiting period between a woman's request for an abortion and the procedure. That requirement forces women who travel outside their home cities for an abortion to stay there at least a day or make two trips.
"It's just so sad that people ... do not understand what a necessary service that this is here," Turner-Collins said.
The clinic asked 10 to 15 local physicians, as well as out-of-town doctors, if they would provide abortions locally, Turner-Collins said. All said no.
Planned Parenthood of Southwest Missouri, an entity separate from the Springfield Healthcare Center, hasn't decided to offer the procedure.
Plemmons said Missouri Right to Life would work against any person or entity planning to step in.
The St. Louis-area doctor who provided abortions at Springfield Healthcare Center averaged 1,500 per year there.
Seven full- and part-time employees, including nurses and office clerks, have been laid off, Turner-Collins said.
The clinic will vacate the Cherry Street building but retain its phone number for patients who need access to their medical records. The documents, which must be kept for seven years, will be retained by an out-of-town records custodian, Turner-Collins said.
The clinic hasn't had trouble with the state Department of Health and Senior Services, which licenses health facilities.
"We have not had any problems with them, or issues, with the Springfield Healthcare said.
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