As Florida implemented its six-week abortion ban, clinics in neighboring Southern and mid-Atlantic states mobilized to accommodate women seeking services no longer available in their home state.
In North Carolina, health care providers are swiftly expanding availability and reducing wait times in anticipation of increased demand. Katherine Farris, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, reported a surge in appointments, with women from Florida seeking care.
This response reflects a nationwide trend since the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, prompting over 20 states to enact restrictive abortion laws. States with more lenient regulations are stepping up to welcome women in need of abortion services.
In Democratic-controlled states, efforts to facilitate access for out-of-state women have intensified. Some have passed laws shielding in-state health care providers from repercussions for assisting women from states with bans. These measures include telehealth prescriptions for abortion pills, a common method.
States like California, New Mexico, and Oregon have allocated public funds to bolster abortion access, aligning with their pro-choice stance.
Florida witnessed over 84,000 abortions in 2023, with a slight increase from the previous year. As of April 1, approximately 14,700 abortions were reported this year, potentially prompting many women to seek services out of state.
Source abcnews.
