This month Planned Parenthood’s Mankato and Rochester clinics will be expanding weekday and weekend hours in order to better serve patients throughout southern Minnesota.

“Planned Parenthood has proudly served the Because of cuts to the nation’s Title X family planning program, Planned Parenthood announced the closure of six clinics in Greater Minnesota last month, including in Owatonna, Fairmont, Red Wing and Albert Lea. The expanded hours in Mankato and Rochester are part of a broader effort to ensure access to reproductive health care for women in rural Minnesota despite the federal cuts. Planned Parenthood also provides virtual office visits with licensed nurse practitioners for birth control supplies through its online health center.

As of Aug. 1, the Rochester clinic, 1212 7th St. NW, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Starting Aug. 15, the Mankato clinic, 201 North Victory Drive, Suite 211, Belle Mar Mall, will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Planned Parenthood’s Online Health Center is always open. Call 1-800-230-PLAN or visit ppmns.org/onlinehealthcenter to schedule an appointment.