Relocation and Compliance of Huntsville’s Abortion Clinic
An abortion clinic seeking state approval to relocate to northwest Huntsville would not share a building with a private obstetrics and gynecology practice. An Alabama Department of Public Health official confirmed last week that the clinic is seeking state approval to relocate from Madison Street to 4831 Sparkman Drive, which is across from Ed White Middle School.
Clarification of Business Affiliation
An attorney for Alabama Women's Wellness Center said Monday that the Sparkman Drive medical practice has no affiliation with the clinic and plans to vacate the building before the clinic moves in. "They're not going into business together," attorney Ty Howard told AL.com Monday. "Women's Wellness Center is moving out of there. They want to be closer to the hospital for patient-care reasons."
Meanwhile, Howard said Women's Wellness Center owner Dr. Yashica Robinson White is actively searching for a new office closer to Huntsville Hospital. The practice also has locations in Opelika and Tuskegee.
Compliance with the Women's Health and Safety Act
Administrator Dalton Johnson acknowledged in late May that the clinic is "having issues" complying with parts of the year-old Women's Health and Safety Act, which placed tougher building standards on abortion clinics. To meet these standards, the following improvements are required:
- Overhead sprinkler systems
- Extra-wide doors and hallways to accommodate ambulance gurneys
Community and Public Protests
Pro-life activists gathered Saturday morning on the sidewalk outside Women's Wellness Center to protest Huntsville's only abortion clinic, Alabama Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives, moving to that address from its current home in the medical district.
Relocation Overview
| Entity | Current Status / Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives | Madison Street (Medical District) | Seeking relocation to 4831 Sparkman Drive |
| Alabama Women's Wellness Center | 4831 Sparkman Drive | Vacating to move closer to Huntsville Hospital |
| Regulatory Framework | Women's Health and Safety Act | Tougher building standards for clinics |