KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Saint Luke’s Health System said Wednesday it would resume providing emergency contraceptives, reversing course less than 24 hours after The Kansas City Star first reported it was no longer providing Plan B.
Saint Luke’s confirmed late Tuesday night that it was no longer providing emergency contraceptives. By the next day, the health system was facing enormous pressure from abortion rights advocates, including Planned Parenthood, not to curtail access.
The move by the Kansas City health system, made in the wake of last week’s Supreme Court ruling, received national attention and criticism from both sides of the abortion debate. The episode also underscored the concerns of those who fear Missouri’s abortion ban could be wielded to reduce access to over-the-counter birth control.
