Probe finds “deplorable and unsanitary” clinic conditions

Pennsylvania has yanked a West Philadelphia doctor’s medical license following allegations that his practice is a danger to the health and safety of patients.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell provides abortions and other care at the Family Medical Society clinic on Lancaster Avenue.

State investigators joined federal drug agents on a raid of the clinic last week, and the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine suspended Gosnell’s license Monday night.

Basil Merenda supervises one of the state’s investigation bureaus.

Merenda: There were unsanitary deplorable conditions at the clinic that he was responsible for. There was an allegation of a death of a woman who received services from the physician as well as a number of unlicensed individuals who were performing medical procedures, administrating drugs and performing examinations.

According to the Board of Medicine report investigators found blood on the floor and parts of aborted fetuses in display jars. Doctor Gosnell has an opportunity to challenge his suspension within 30 days.

Dayle Steinberg is CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, she says the Philadelphia region has too few abortion providers.

Steinberg: We do anticipate that women who might have scheduled appointments for abortion procedures at the Women’s Medical Society will be calling Planned Parenthood.

Steinberg says she knows that Gosnell has provided abortions in Philadelphia for many years, but says she hadn’t heard of any problems at clinic until the allegations surfaced in recent days.