Planned Parenthood Great Plains Columbia Health Center Prepares to Reopen
For Immediate Release: Feb. 12, 2019 (Updated: Feb. 12, 2019, 6:07 p.m.)
Contact: Emily Miller, [email protected]
COLUMBIA, MO – Planned Parenthood Great Plains Columbia health center remains closed following a fire that took place early in the morning of Sunday, Feb. 10, which the FBI is now investigating as a federal civil rights violation under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
Statement from Planned Parenthood Great Plains President and CEO Dr. Brandon J. Hill:
“We remain focused on the health and safety of our patients, and we are committed to reopening our Columbia health center as soon as possible. With repairs underway, we now have a clearer picture of the extent of damage to the building, and we will remain closed for the rest of the week. We are hopeful that we’ll be able to reopen next week and are working with patients impacted by the closure to reschedule appointments.
“The circumstances surrounding the fire are coming into focus, and it is clear that this was an intentional effort to damage our facility in order to disrupt services and block patient access to sexual and reproductive health care. We continue to cooperate with law enforcement on the active investigation and encourage anyone with information about the incident to contact authorities.
“Make no mistake — we are committed to providing care in the Columbia community, and this crime will not deter us from our mission. Our patients rely on us each day, and with a strong community of supporters beside us, we will reopen our doors as soon as possible.”
The Columbia health center provides services including family planning, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, transgender care, and more. Abortion services are not currently available in Columbia. For questions about scheduling an appointment at our Columbia health center, please call 1-800-230-PLAN.
To report any information regarding the incident, please call the FBI’s Jefferson City Office at 573-636-8814.
About Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP)
Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) has provided access to sexual and reproductive health care to women, men, and families since 1935. PPGP currently operates eleven health centers serving more than 75,000 women, men and teens each year in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. PPGP provides community education in its major population centers and has an active public policy program in all four states.