Oregon Public Broadcasting

The town of Pasco, Washington, is embroiled in a controversy over a proposed women's health clinic.

The Planned Parenthood facility would not offer abortions. But as Correspondent Anna King reports, the national debate over abortion rights is still at the center of this small-town dispute.

A recent Pasco planning commission meeting was so full, that people spilled out into the hall. Much of the debate revolved around whether abortion should be legal.

Dennis Young says he doesn't care much one way or another. But he says the clinic would be located near his home and an elementary school.

Young says he isn't against abortion rights, but he worries about how children would react to the protests.

Dennis Young: "Those signs have graphic pictures on them. And what do you think your daughter or son would do if he saw something like that."

Brian Griffith is a regional spokesman for Planned Parenthood. He says there is a high need for these services in Pasco.

Brian Griffith: "Franklin County is home to some of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the State of Washington, some of the highest Chlamydia rates, we have the second highest HIV infection rate outside of metro Seattle."

Pasco's planning commission may weigh in on the proposed clinic next week.