A local woman is taking matters into her own hands after Nashville Planned Parenthood clinic suspends abortion services.
Brigid Bresnihan set up the Facebook group “Tennessee Abortion Access Network” right after the news broke. She’s hoping to facilitate transportation and housing for women who need these services and will have to go to Memphis or Knoxville health centers. Volunteers in the community have also stepped up to offer rides.
After this announcement, there are no clinics in Nashville offering abortions. Tennessee requires a 48 hour waiting period so women may have to book a hotel.
Read more: Nashville Planned Parenthood clinic suspends abortion services
In a statement, Planned Parenthood said the health center is “undergoing a period of quality improvement and will return with those services soon.”
Patients who need to schedule an appointment for abortion services were directed to call 1-866-711-1717 for an appointment at the Memphis or Knoxville health centers.
In a statement, Aimee Lewis, the Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Development Officer for Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi said: “We are 100 percent committed to meeting our patients' family planning needs in Nashville, including abortion services. We believe that the ability to control fertility is fundamental to human health and well-being. We believe that your body is your own, and when it isn't, you can't be free, and you won't be equal.”
The Planned Parenthood clinic is the second one in Nashville to stop providing abortions this year. The Women’s Center, which was located on Welshwood Drive, closed in August.
There are some groups who think this abortion suspension is a win.
"With the suspension of abortion services in our state's largest city, Tennessee Right to Life is grateful for a Christmas miracle," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life.
