ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) — Planned Parenthood is renting medical office space in the town of Ontario on the Oregon-Idaho border.

Planned Parenthood has not confirmed its plans for the space, but has said it’s preparing for an influx of out-of-state patients seeking abortions in Oregon because of multiple legal challenges to abortion rights, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

Earlier this year they successfully lobbied the Oregon legislature to set aside $15 million in an unrestricted fund for reproductive health equity.

“No matter what happens we will be there for our in-state and out-of-state neighbors, and continue to meet the needs of our patients,” said Kenji Nozaki, the chief of affiliate operations at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette. “We are prepared to support anyone who seeks their legal right to decide whether and when to become pregnant.”

The office space Planned Parenthood is renting in Ontario was previously home to the Four Rivers Health Clinic, a nonprofit serving people without health insurance.

Joe Recla, the group’s executive director, said Four Rivers will use the rental income to continue to support uninsured patients.

A Planned Parenthood clinic in Ontario could be a significant high desert outpost for access to abortion and other reproductive health care services, in advance of a US Supreme Court decision anticipated this summer that could overturn Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50-year-old landmark abortion ruling.

The small town of Ontario is about an hour’s drive from Boise, Idaho.

Idaho has two trigger laws criminalizing abortion at all stages of pregnancy that would take effect in the event of a successful legal challenge to Roe v. Calf.

Oregon has no legal restrictions on abortion, but the state has one clinic that performs abortion east of the Cascade Mountains, in Bend. For those seeking abortions in eastern and northeastern parts of the state, the closest clinics are out of state, in Boise or Walla Walla, Washington.

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SAN FRANCISCO – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal) opens the doors tomorrow to its brand new, state-of-the-art, $ 22 million flagship health center, funded entirely by more than 800 individual donations. The flagship San Francisco Health Center is located at 1522 Bush Street near Van Ness Avenue and is easily accessible by public transportation. It offers access to a range of treatments, including wellness screenings, birth control, cancer screenings, STI tests and treatments, gender-affirming care, and abortion. PPNorCal provides expert health services to 78,000 people in 17 health centers each year.

PPNorCal’s flagship was patient centered and inspired. According to the figures, PPNorCal expects 20,400 visits and 13,000 patients per year in the brand new health center and expects the waiting time for appointments to be shortened by three days. The flagship will serve as a hub for training and other community events and will house the executive office, research department, education department, public affairs and fundraising staff of PPNorCal.

“At PPNorCal we have always believed that your body is your own. With the opening of our flagship San Francisco facility, fully funded by donors, we’re one step further to ensure people have more control over their lives, health and futures, ”said Gilda Gonzales, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California. “Now is the time to strengthen and secure access to sexual and reproductive health care. We all – the Biden government, states, local governments, communities, and individuals – must face this moment. ”

The opening times for the new health center can be found on the PPNorCal website here. The new 12,000 square meter site features an open architecture with an emphasis on promoting safety and efficiency. The facility has eight multifunctional examination and counseling rooms and four operating suites, and offers advanced services such as vasectomies, more comprehensive abortion services, and mental health services.

PPNorCal began serving the San Francisco community at 1650 Valencia Street in 2011, which is now permanently closed. With the vision of increased impact and innovation, the organization launched a five-year fundraising campaign from January 2015 to December 2019, despite multiple and increased threats from January 2017. This fundraising campaign resulted in an impressive sum generated by a total of 877 people and organizations like the Hellman Foundation in San Francisco. The project also received a wide range of community support.

“In the midst of a global health crisis, we at the Hellman Foundation are moved and inspired by Planned Parenthood Northern California’s commitment to making health care accessible to all,” said Susan Hirsch, executive director of the Hellman Foundation. “With the opening of San Francisco’s flagship health center, Planned Parenthood Northern California will continue to establish a national model for community rooting, justice and exceptional health care, education and advocacy. We are proud to be part of the community of donors that made this vision a reality, and look forward to the expanded impact and leadership that Planned Parenthood Northern California will have over the years and decades to come. ”

PPNorCal looks forward to continued and expanded support from the San Francisco community. For more information and to book an appointment, please visit https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-northern-california or call 1-800-230-7526.

About Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal)

PPNorCal offers inexpensive or free reproductive health care. Their health services include birth control, STI tests and treatments, life-saving cancer screenings and breast exams, as well as annual assessments and checkups, and abortions. They also provide emergency contraception, UTI tests and treatments, and sexual and reproductive health education. The doors of PPNorCal are open to everyone, regardless of insurance status, immigration status, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or income.

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