In October 2013, the pro-life community ended the reign of abortion in Waco. Sadly, the victory may be short lived.

According to a Waco Tribune article published on Oct. 1, 2013, the Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas relinquished its abortion license for Waco after House Bill 2 (HB2) was passed that requires all doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges in hospitals within 30 miles of the clinic, which the Waco Planned Parenthood’s staff did not. The activism of sidewalk counselors and protesters, combined with new health regulations, left Planned Parenthood without doctors willing or legally able to provide abortions in Waco.

The House’s Investigative Panel on Infant Lives’ report listed 15 criminal and regulatory referrals against Planned Parenthood and its associates, and recommended its defunding in 2013. However, last year, the Supreme Court repealed regulations include the previously included mandate. These regulations are necessary for protecting women from the dangerous and exploitative practices of abortionists.

Now that HB2’s protective measures have been lifted, Planned Parenthood is seizing the opportunity to bring abortion back to Waco. The Planned Parenthood facility on Ross Avenue, only a mile from Baylor’s campus, was relicensed to perform abortion in November of 2016. There are very strong indications construction has begun on a new, larger Planned Parenthood facility off of Hwy 6.

Faced with the possibility of their return, the founder of Baylor’s pro-life student group and Pro-Life Waco’s leader, John Pisciotta said in an email to members of the student group,“Let’s pray and work for the result of Planned Parenthood deciding NOT to kill baby boys and girls in Waco. The pro-life community of Central Texas will rise to this occasion!”

The Waco pro-life community successfully expelled the abortionists three years ago, and we will do it again.

Eric Holloway, Maryland Doctoral Candidate