Florida Implements 6-Week Abortion Ban Prompting Women To Seek Services in Other States Due to Restrictions

Following the recent enforcement of Florida's six-week abortion ban, clinics in several other Southern and mid-Atlantic states mobilized, recognizing that women would turn to them for services due to the restrictions in their states.

States Adopting Laws Limiting or Prohibiting Abortions

In North Carolina, situated three states to the north, medical professionals are swiftly working to expand services and shorten wait times.

"We already have appointments scheduled," Katherine Farris, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, noted. "Patients who couldn't access services in Florida at the end of April are now booking with us."

This response mirrors a nationwide trend since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision reversal, with over 20 states adopting laws limiting or prohibiting abortions.

States with more permissive regulations are embracing women seeking pregnancy terminations.

Since June 2022, some Democratic-led states have eased access to abortions for out-of-state individuals, implementing laws safeguarding local healthcare workers providing abortions to women from states with restrictions. Measures include permitting providers to prescribe abortion pills via telehealth.

California, New Mexico, Oregon, among others, have allocated public funds to enhance abortion accessibility.

Florida Reported Alomost 15,000 Abortions

In 2023, Florida recorded over 84,000 abortions, slightly up from the previous year. As of April 1 this year, around 14,700 abortions had been reported, suggesting many women consider out-of-state choices.

"People will travel when they're desperate," remarked Mara Buchbinder, a social medicine professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Florida was once a destination for women from neighboring states with restrictions, such as Georgia and South Carolina, both banning abortions at approximately six weeks of gestation.

However, access in Florida has been shrinking steadily. In April 2022, a 15-week ban was passed, followed by a six-week abortion ban in 2023, contingent on the earlier ban's legal affirmation. The state Supreme Court upheld the ban last month, leading to its swift implementation.

A November referendum could reverse the ban, but until then, advocacy groups must organize numerous out-of-state trips.

For women more than six weeks pregnant, South Florida is now the farthest from a legal provider in any densely populated U.S. area.

Consequently, the average abortion cost is expected to surge from $600-$700 to over $1,800, Daniela Martins of the Women's Emergency Network stated.

Martins anticipates aiding women in traveling to Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., although funding remains a challenge.

The Brigid Alliance, supporting women seeking abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, is bracing for increased demand. The alliance is expanding its team and partnering with a clinic in Puerto Rico, particularly for Spanish speakers.

North Carolina Foresees a Notable Rise in Women Patients

North Carolina expects a significant influx of patients. Before Florida's ban, 32% of abortions at the state's Planned Parenthood clinics were for out-of-state individuals.

Despite being a convenient option for Florida women, North Carolina has its obstacles. The state's 2023 law allows abortions up to 12 weeks but mandates two in-person provider visits 72 hours apart, potentially prolonging the process.

Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler of the Carolina Abortion Fund noted concerns about increased wait times for abortions, currently ranging from five to 20 days. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is extending services and adjusting schedules to meet demand.

"We're committed to the work," Farris affirmed, acknowledging the operational challenges in managing the chaotic system.

Farris, providing abortions in North Carolina, sometimes has to redirect patients over 12 weeks to Virginia or other states with lenient laws.

Despite limited resources, Carolina Abortion Fund strives to assist every caller, functioning as a lifeline for many in need. A Preferred Women's Health Center in North Carolina receives around 4,000 calls weekly, predominantly from Southern states. Since Roe was overturned, about 70% of their yearly abortions have been for out-of-state patients.

Volunteers sometimes work late into the night to assist with emergency abortion coordination, and the organization has experienced months with as many as 1,000 calls, a 400% increase after the Roe v. Wade overturns.

This surge in demand is evident as the center received 650 calls in April alone. Despite financial constraints, staff are committed to answering every call for assistance.

At A Preferred Women's Health Center in North Carolina, receiving about 4,000 calls weekly, the majority are from women in Southern states. Since Roe was overturned, approximately 70% of the center's yearly 13,000 abortions have been for out-of-state patients.

Operating two clinics in Georgia under a similar ban, the experience there may foreshadow challenges anticipated in Florida, as expressed by Executive Director Calla Hales. She remarked, "As soon as they see a positive pregnancy test, they're reaching out for help."