Femcare is much more than an abortion clinic

I am sad to hear about the temporary closing of Femcare and, more importantly, the constant reference to it as an abortion clinic [“Suspended,” Aug. 7 Xpress]. Femcare is much more than that.

I own Laurey's in downtown Asheville and am grateful that I am now in a position to offer insurance to full-time employees, which means that I, too, am insured. When I first moved to Asheville, in 1987, I was not working at a full-time job and did not have insurance or enough money to pay for a “real” doctor for my routine care. Fortunately, Femcare was here.

I went for my routine checkups and, when I had some recurring problems, Femcare correctly diagnosed my problems as early-stage ovarian cancer. Without that early diagnosis, my subsequent treatment would have been much worse, as it would have necessitated ongoing chemotherapy. As it was, surgery took care of me.

I have recently been dealing with cancer again, not related to that other diagnosis. Because I am able to have insurance, I am able to get state-of-the-art treatment. And I can now afford regular medical care. However, many other younger women are not in this position. I know of others who had relied on Femcare for medical help. I don't know where they will now go.

Perhaps you can help by telling the more complete story of who really relies on Femcare for routine screenings. Not everyone goes there for an abortion.

— Laurey Masterton
Asheville

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