The closure of abortion clinics across the United States has left many communities without access to essential healthcare services. In response, some urgent care centers are stepping up to fill the gap, offering medication abortions to patients who need them. This is the story of Marquette Medical Urgent Care in Michigan, which began providing medication abortions after the closure of a Planned Parenthood clinic in the remote Upper Peninsula. The clinic's owner, Dr. Shawn Brown, describes herself as "individually pro-life," but she wanted to ensure that her patients had access to safe and legal abortion services. The clinic now sees about four patients a week for medication abortions, with patients traveling from as far away as Louisiana. The clinic's physician, Dr. Viktoria Koskenoja, is also a friend of Dr. Brown's and has been instrumental in providing support and resources to patients seeking abortions. The clinic's approach to providing medication abortions is unique, as it offers a combination of in-person care and support, as well as a sliding scale for the cost of the procedure. The clinic's efforts have been supported by the community, with a local donor covering the cost of an ultrasound machine and a nonprofit helping to pay for the medication and additional staffing. The clinic's success has also attracted attention from other healthcare organizations, with a large academic medical center planning to start providing medication abortion at its own urgent cares later this year. However, there are challenges and potential pitfalls to this approach, including state-specific laws and federal regulations that must be followed. The clinic's success in providing medication abortions highlights the importance of access to safe and legal abortion services, and the potential for urgent care centers to play a critical role in filling the gap left by the closure of abortion clinics.
