By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – The new regulations could leave only one abortion provider in the state of Missouri.
The Abortion Omnibus Bill has been signed into law by Governor Matt Blunt.
Among the new requirements is one that reclassifies abortion clinics as ambulatory surgical centers.
Blunt calls abortion a serious and sometimes dangerous medical procedure.
"I think those that perform abortions in our state need to comply with the same sort of standards, meet the same standards, that other ambulatory surgical centers in our state would meet," Blunt said. "I think this is about the safety of Missouri women, and protecting MO women from their health and well being, in the aftermath or during what could be a very dangerous medical procedure."
The only abortion provider that meets the new standards in the state is the Planned Parenthood Clinic in St. Louis.
President of the Planned Parenthood of Greater St. Louis, Paula Gianino, says the new law will put women at risk.
"We're really very concerned about seeing women delay getting abortions; moving abortion care further into the mid and second trimester," Gianino said.
The Planned Parenthood in Columbia would have to spend at least $1.5 million dollars to upgrade its clinic to meet the new standards.
Planned Parenthood's Kansas City clinic is expected to shut down soon after the new law takes effect on August 28th.
Gianino says Planned Parenthood is considering legal action.