In an unexpected move, the Boulder Abortion Clinic’s closure marks the end of a controversial chapter in late-term abortion care and challenges in reproductive health access after five decades.
At a Glance
- The Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado, run by Warren Hern, has closed after 50 years.
- Financial constraints, including high expenses and reduced donor support, led to the closure.
- Dr. Hern expressed regret about not finding a successor to continue his work.
- Colorado still allows abortions up to birth for any reason, despite the clinic’s closure.
The End of an Era
The Boulder Abortion Clinic, founded by Warren Hern in 1975, closed its doors. Known for performing late-term abortions, Hern has been at the center of heated debates over reproductive rights for years. Operating past the 28-week mark and sometimes up to 32 weeks or more, the clinic faced mounting financial challenges and dwindling donor funding, rendering its operations unsustainable. Despite Hern’s dedication, without a successor to take his place, the clinic’s closure was inevitable.
Boulder Abortion Clinic closes after 50 years
The clinic, one of the few advertising third-trimester abortions, served as a symbol of controversial yet legal practices in Colorado, a state where abortions are allowed up to birth. The debate around such procedures remains contentious, with the closure sparking renewed discussions about fetal viability and the ethical dimensions of late-term abortions. Pro-life groups have criticized the clinic’s operations, viewing its closure as a victory for the sanctity of life.
Dr. Hern: A Controversial Figure
Warren Hern, now 87, is known not only for his medical practice but also for his provocative statements about humanity and abortion. Describing humans as a “malignant ecotumor” and suggesting a new scientific name—”Homo ecophagus”—Hern has never shied away from stirring debate. He has long defended his work, suggesting that abortions, particularly late-term, were performed only in dire circumstances, not on demand.
“Although I love my work, I have wanted for years to be free from the operating room and the daily cares of a private medical practice,” Hern wrote in his statement about the facility’s closure, adding that while he must “leave this sacred commitment to others,” he is still “committed to reproductive freedom [sic] for women” and “will find other ways to support that.”
His assertions that abortion is safer than childbirth have been contested, yet Hern’s unwavering focus on reproductive rights is clear. The clinic’s closure doesn’t end his advocacy; his commitment to reproductive freedom remains firm. Hern plans to explore other avenues to support women’s rights, even as he steps away from hands-on practice.
The Broader Impact
The ramifications of the clinic’s closure extend beyond Colorado. Financial issues and the challenges of sustaining specialized reproductive health services highlight a broader problem in the U.S. Late-term abortions remain a small percentage of all procedures, yet they fuel intense debate nationwide. With fewer than 20 clinics performing such procedures after 24 weeks, accessibility remains a crucial concern.
“After more than 50 years… we have closed and have stopped scheduling patients,” a notice written by Dr. Hern and posted to the Boulder Abortion Clinic facility’s website states.
With nine states and Washington, D.C., lacking limits on abortion, the conversation around reproductive rights continues to evolve. This closure may galvanize both pro-choice and pro-life advocates as legal and ethical battles persist. The future will tell if Hern’s pioneering legacy will impact policy or provoke further division in an already polarized issue.
