These abortion clinics no longer provide abortions – but are still hanging on

Clinic founder and director Kathy Kleinfeld hugs patient advocate Marjorie Eisen at the Houston Women’s Reproductive Services clinic in Texas. Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images

The patient on 9 March was a tricky case.

She was pregnant and seeking an abortion, but had previously had a cesarean section, which could create complications if the placenta embedded in her surgical scar. Houston Women’s Reproductive Services couldn’t perform the procedure because Texas had banned abortions, but the clinic could do an ultrasound and communicate with the provider in New Mexico, where the patient was heading for her appointment. Then, once the patient was back in Texas, the Houston clinic would provide any follow-up care and support she needed.