After a half-century of providing abortion services, Dr. Warren Hern, a renowned physician known for his work in late-term procedures, has closed the Boulder Abortion Clinic in Colorado. The closure marks the end of an era for one of the few facilities nationwide offering abortions at advanced gestational ages.
In a statement posted on his website, Dr. Hern reflected on his career:
“It has been a privilege to do this work for almost 55 years. It has been a privilege to know the many exceptional people in this field who were and are devoted to the highest standards of medical care for women and who are dedicated to the fundamental principle of reproductive freedom for everyone.”
Hern, whose practice gained considerable attention due to his detailed descriptions of abortion procedures—including accounts that have referenced the use of specialized instruments—expressed a desire for respite from the demands of clinical practice. He stated he wished “to be free from the operating room and the daily cares of a private medical practice.”
The Boulder Abortion Clinic served patients traveling from across the country, particularly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Colorado remains one of a handful of states without significant restrictions on abortion access throughout pregnancy.
Hern’s published work, including his book “Abortion Practice,” offers intricate details about the procedures he performed. He wrote:
“The procedure changes significantly at 21 weeks because the fetal tissues become much more cohesive and difficult to dismember.”
Dr. Hern has been a prominent voice in discussions surrounding abortion since the 1970s, frequently featured in major publications such as *The New Yorker*, *The Washington Post*, and *The Atlantic*. His recent memoir, “Abortion in the Age of Unreason: A Doctor’s Account of Caring for Women Before and After Roe v. Wade,” further explores his experiences.
His memoir details rigorous quality control measures implemented early in his career. As reported by *The New Yorker*, Hern would personally examine tissue following procedures to ensure complete removal, stating “he would have to empty the cotton sock in the suction bottle of its contents, spread the tissue out on a glass plate, and look at it carefully over a light box.”
Following the Roe v. Wade reversal, the clinic experienced a surge in patients seeking late-term abortions.
“We couldn’t see patients who were earlier in their pregnancies, because we were just too busy taking care of the more difficult patients,”
Hern told *The New Yorker*. He explained that his practice prioritized complex cases, offering a vital service for women with limited options. “They’re at the end of the line. They can’t find anyone else to do this.”
In the same interview, Dr. Hern emphasized the potential risks associated with pregnancy and asserted:
- “The basic fact is that if you’re pregnant, you’re at risk of dying from that pregnancy.”
- “All abortions are elective, and all abortions are therapeutic.”
