Planned Parenthood of Montana has announced the closure of its Kalispell clinic due to the poor economic climate in this area.
Located at 795 Sunset Blvd., the clinic will no longer see patients after Nov. 20.
It opened to provide family planning and reproductive health services a little more than four years ago.
Stacy James, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Montana, said the board met a few weeks ago and made "this difficult decision."
"It's due to the challenging economic times," James said. "People are losing health care [insurance], postponing care or turning to public clinics."
Planned Parenthood of Montana has set up a travel fund for patients who need to travel to the Missoula clinic for services. Information about the fund is available on the organization's Web site www.plannedparenthood.org/montana or by calling 888-867-8961.
James said that Flathead City-County Health Department receives federal money to provide family planning to low-income people. In other areas, Planned Parenthood receives those dollars that help subsidize its operations.
The recession has made continuing services impossible.
"We've not had the patient numbers to keep the doors open," she said.
In the last fiscal year, the clinic served 1,575 patients.
The staff offered reproductive health care such as annual exams, birth control, emergency contraception services and primary care services such as sports physicals.
The organization maintains clinics statewide in Missoula, Helena, Great Falls and Billings as well as seven "clinics without walls" on the east side of Montana.
The staff of four in Kalispell included a family nurse practitioner. One of the staff members will join the Planned Parenthood clinic in Missoula.
James said that the staff has been informing patients of the closure as they come in the office for services. She said the staff also is giving patients a referral list of potential providers in this area.
"We think it's very important that patients have the opportunity to choose their provider," James said.
JA
RR, How can I NOT take it personally when someone tells me I need to leave. There are some benefits to a stable population here in the valley. I agree with you the Flathead was over developed and in some areas became an eye sore, but we can't just undo it all and go back to dirt roads and sod cabins either. I think the Kalispell area and Montana in general, has lost a lot of it's appeal to the rest of the country and because of this, I think you will continue to see a gradual decline in population of this valley over the next ten years. But to cheer the leaving of those that have worked hard here all their lives is wrong.
Rebel Rouser
Finally, your story is happy and sad at the same time. My question is this, if the new health care program being introduced to congress as we speak doesn't pass what will the 1,575 patients in this valley do for medical treatment. I wonder if all of those (medical professionals) who were standing out in front of the clinic praying will step up and either treat those patients or pay for their medical coverage and support the (potential 1,575) babies brought into the world without parental and monetary support? Planned parenthood is a much needed medical option for this community and the short sightedness of these arrogant religious fanatics has contributed to the closure of this clinic because of their interference (noses in everyone's business). I am happy to hear your outcome is on the positive side.
Rebel Rouser
Finally, your story is happy and sad at the same time. My question is this, if the new health care program being introduced to congress as we speak doesn't pass what will the 1,575 patients in this valley do for medical treatment. I wonder if all of those (medical professionals) who were standing out in front of the clinic praying will step up and either treat those patients or pay for their medical coverage and support the (potential 1,575) babies brought into the world without parental and monetary support? Planned parenthood is a much needed medical option for this community and the short sightedness of these arrogant religious fanatics has contributed to the closure of this clinic because of their interference (noses in everyone's business). I am happy to hear your outcome is on the positive side.
Finally
Planned Parenthood saved my life and my daughter's life. I suffer from a rare mast cell disease but at the time I started seeing Lottie at Planned Parenthood, no one knew what was wrong with me. I had been to doctor after doctor and even taken by ambulance to the ER yet I was chronically dismissed or treated as if I were crazy. Lottie believed me and knew something systemic was wrong with me. I was flushed, had a horrible rash from head to foot, had chronic drops in blood pressure, severe pain, and was unable to concentrate. I even went through periods where one side would be paralyzed. Even the ER missed the fact that I was in anaphylaxis but Lottie recognized it and, after a serious of tests and being sent to multiple specialists, finally got me diagnosed with Systemic Mastocytosis at the Mayo Clinic. While I am still not able to work, thanks to Lottie I am able to at least live my life.
Lottie did the same for my daughter. She had a rapid onset head ache and the ER correctly diagnosed her with Pituitary Apoplexy but the local neurologist in town said it would heal on it's own. Within a few days my daughter was unable to walk, was breathless, has slowed broken speech, and could not remember how to even use the bathroom on her own. The local neurologist said she was faking it even though I knew she was dying. We were at the ER almost daily yet, even though my daughter had a heart rate of 160-180 and was out of breath, they would send her home after consulting the neurologist, telling me there was nothing wrong. Lottie at Planned Parenthood knew my daughter was in serious trouble and referred her to OHSU's Pituitary Center in Portland. OHSU found my daughter was on the verge of dying due to adrenal insufficient. My daughter underwent brain surgery and is now on steriods. She is a lot better but now has permanent heart problems due to how long it took to get her adequate medical care. Without Lottie, my daughter would be dead.
I have no idea what we are going to do for medical care now that Planned Parenthood is closing. It is the only place in Kalispell where we were actually listened too and believed in. Lottie fought hard to get us diagnosed and to get us proper treatment when the local specialists let us down. Planned Parenthood and Lottie will be sorely missed and their absence will leave us with heavy hearts.
Bottom line, Planned Parenthood really listened and cared about their patients.
Rebel Rouser
Ps Sorry to hear about your accident.
Rebel Rouser
JA, no need to get personal. Developers, speculators, commissioners, Dream Montana and the likes, were the beginning of this rampant growth process that was not planned with adequate infrastructure (business and jobs) to support itself. Anyone watching could see the disaster ahead. Out of state retirees and vacationers does not a stable economy make. When did the commissioners stand up and say "where are the jobs to support this level of growth?" "what will happen to the local economy when the bubble bursts?" These questions were never asked even though many in the community members asked these very questions. All I can say is a foundation of sand in the dry river bed can lead to disaster and the end result is not a good thing.
JA
RR, who said anything about developers and speculators? I’m talking about our neighbors (yours and mine) who are moving away in droves because they are deep in dept and can’t find a job to no fault of their own. Because of this, and because those that are left have had large reductions in their income and many have lost their health insurance, it has become increasingly difficult for all these high dollar medical specialist to survive in this valley. This wouldn’t bother me so much, but every once in a while we need them (broke my arm last week and had to go to the emergency room). The doctors were both expensive, arrogant jerks but I was still glad they were there to take care of my arm. If people continue to migrate from the Flathead to the cities to find work, the professionals such as these specialist, lawyers, CPA and others, will soon follow- and from what I understand this has already begun. Then you’ll have to go to drive all the way to Spokane or Missoula when you decide to have that fat head of yours surgically removed from your rectum.
duchatelet
@stunned: Your misinformation about Margaret Sanger comes from reading right wing and anti choice blogs. They tend to take her quotes out of context. Very often they ignore that the quotes were in speeches and she was using irony and sarcasm to make just the opposite point.
IN reality, Sanger, a hero for women, first and foremost wanted women to have access to contraception. This was at a time when there were few safety nets, medicine was not as advanced, and childbirth was frequently fatal. Sanger was absolutely the opposite of racist, because she thought that all women, no matter their race, should have access to contraception and through contraception be able to control the size of their families if they chose. Yes, quite often these women were poor, and in those times poor was synonymous with person of color - because after all if one was rich, one could get contraception from a doctor, or even a surgical abortion.
Bryan Balow
Where did Planned Parenthood of Montana get their financial planning--Barack Obama Economic planning? Or maybe Bernie Madoff.
Partyer
It's amazing what comes up from the simple news that yet another local business has given up trying to make a living here. Divine intervention, huh? Okay, whatever. They say God will provide. Good thing, because there should be lots more hungry mouths to feed soon.
stunned
Photoguy: Thanks for the apology. I really try not to comment on things that I know absolutely nothing about. I do happen to know about the founder of Planned Parenthood. In my defense, I said nothing about God or abortion in my posts. I think people read things into them. I am a Christian, I will never apologize for that. I know what I believe and more importantly I know WHY I believe it. But, as I said, I didn't mention God in my posts. Margaret Sanger did start this clinic so that women could get rid of pregnancies they did not want(or to make sure they didn't get pregnant in the first place). She felt it important to terminate the pregnancy of any baby that was defective in any way. For example, a baby missing a limb or a baby with Down's Syndrome. She believed in what Hitler and Darwin believed in. Survival of the fittest. The perfect Race. She also believed that poor black people needed to be irradicated. It takes a little hunting, but the information is there. If people want to keep their head in the sand and not accept this information, there isn't much I can do about it. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to look this information up for yourself. I usually enjoy your posts and tend to respect your opinion on issues so I was just a little surprised by your comments. On a side note, I wonder if this clinic would have closed down if there wasn't an abortion clinic on Meridian? When I was in High School many moons ago, my dear friend thought she might be pregnant. We went to the Planned Parenthood clinic. She wanted a free pregnancy test. Instead of giving her a test, they gave her a brochure on abortion and how much it would cost. She was shocked, I was shocked. We walked out of the clinic and NEVER returned. This may not happen to everyone, but that's what happened to my friend and I. I can only speak from experience. So much for caring about the "well being" of every women that walks in their doors.
Rebel Rouser
To what JA said, GOOD riddance. All of the greedy speculators should lose their money and go away. The developers took a gamble when they over developed the Flathead and I for one will be glad to see this process stop or at least slow to a reasonable pace. We will never recover the area as it was but maybe we can stop watching it continue deteriorating to "just another anyplace USA". Those of us that remain WILL survive as we have in the past. JA maybe you should consider going to a place that suits your needs as well.
photoguy
Stunned, sorry I honestly don't know that much about PPH, other than what I have read, I don't normally research services that I have had no occasion to use and will never have a need to use them. However I do know they provide services other than abortions.
I just found it amusing, although I knew it would be said, that the all mighty omni present being was involved in this closing. I did google and did some reading and it would lead you to believe, she may have been racist in her thoughts. So I am sorry I called you a nutcase, it just sounded a bit odd in the context of this article about closing this clinic.
As far as the religious aspect of this clinic closing, I don't think it had anything to do with prayer vigils, and based on the way things are right now, it is pure 100% economics.
stunned
32 flavors: Did you read ANYTHING that I said? You obviously know nothing about Margaret Sanger or what eugenics is. Sorry that you're so lazy you won't simply google her name or do any research on your own. Yes, it's so sad that stunned thinks the world is round. Poor, sad little stunned is so lost and simple minded. Maybe the wonderful brilliance of 32flavors can flow down upon stunned and make her a better, more intelligent person. I'm so glad you're here so that perhaps one of your teardrops will fall and heal the world of all affirmity.
32flavors
Corrections to my post:
*allow women to CHOOSE.
*allow RESPECTFUL
32flavors
Oh stunned I'm so sorry you believe such an uneducated idea about Margaret Sanger. Are you saying that because 80% of the Planned Parenthoods are in Black low income neighborhoods and some of them perform abortions or distribute birth control then therefore Margaret Sanger and those Planned Parenthoods are trying to rid the world of Black people because they are ending pregnancies? Because if this is what you are saying you are sadly wrong. Did you ever think that maybe these poor neighborhoods are often the best place for Planned Parenthoods because traditionally miniorities who are low income do not have access to adaquate health care or education about STDs and pregnancy, birth control and healthy relationships? Perhaps placing Planned Parenthoods right in their neighborhoods where they are easily accessible is not discrimination or racism but yet a wonderful way to allow miniorities access to the services they need without having to try and find a way to pay for health care or travel long distances?
Kalispell is suffering a great loss by losing this clinic which provides services for many many low income young women men and children. Hopefully the Health Department can still provide the services to make up for what is going to be lost. And hopefully someday the world will finally realize it's okay to allow women to choice, to provide choices in the form of planning pregnancy and to allow respect and affordable services to all.
stunned
The correct spelling of her name is Margaret Sanger.
stunned
Photoguy: You're usually fairly intelligent. Did you temporarily take leave of your senses? Margaret Senger was the founder of Planned Parenthood. Her purpose for the program was to get rid of certain individuals from our society. She was a strong supporter of eugenics. It is a fact that you cannot disprove. She was a racist pure and simple. She didn't ever apologize for this fact. I DID NOT say that she was the founder of the clinic in Kalispell. That would be impossible because she is now dead. I said that 80% of clinics are in poor, black neighborhoods BY DESIGN. Could perhaps Kalispell have fallen under the other 20% of clinics? I didn't know I had to spell it out for you. How can you possibly call me a nutcase for sharing facts? That would be like calling you a nutcase because you believe the world is round. Google Margaret Senger for yourself. I think you will be shocked at what you find. I'll check on the spelling of her name to make sure you're looking up the right person. Restore my faith in your intelligence photoguy and check it out for yourself before you resort to name calling.
photoguy
Told ya, the nutcases are coming out of the woodworks, wipe out the black population? I live in the Flathead, and I think I have seen 3 black people in the close to 20 years I have lived here, if that was here purpose, she sure picked the wrong place to do it..
Some of you are real nutjobs!
MrMark
Oh puhleeze Dolphin. Give it a rest! It's too bad, one way or the other, that they had to close. They were providing a service to many that needed or wanted it. And it sickens me to think that you and others will think prayers had anything to do with it. Riiiiight.
Nirvana
Where's all that stimulus $ ? A good program wiped out. .
stunned
I'm so glad that planned parenthood has closed in Kalispell. What's shocking is how many liberal people support this racist clinic and think it's good for the Flathead. Margaret Senger is the woman who started Planned Parenthood and she was into Eugenics. One of her purposes was to wipe out the black population. If you don't believe it, research it and you'll find that what I'm saying is true. She was a racist. Do you know that 80% of Planned Parenthood clinics are in poor, black neighborhoods? There is definately a "plan" for Planned Parenthood and it is racist to the foundation of its foul core.
Nirvana
Where's all that stimulus $ ? A good program wiped out. .
Nirvana
Where's all that stimulus $ ? A good program wiped out. .
photoguy
I wondered how long it would take the nut cases to come out and say "IT IS GOD'S WILL"
Brother...
Dolphin
They can say that closing the clinic is due to economical issues, but the truth is that all of those prayer vigils held outside their office did the job!! Yeah, another win for God and His plan for our world!! No more deaths at 795 Sunset Blvd.!!
JA
This is just the beginning I'm afraid.... many of the local clinic have seen their patient volumes cut in half. Anyone cheering the closures of the lumber mills and exodus of people from the valley should know the next to leave are going to be professionals such as physicians, who depend on a population with jobs (and health insurance). Next to leave will be the lawyers who will have nobody to sue if all the physicians leave. We desperately need jobs in this valley to break this downward spiral.