In response to Florida’s recent enactment of a six-week abortion ban, clinics in neighboring Southern and mid-Atlantic states are witnessing increased demand for abortion services from women unable to access them in their home state.
Healthcare providers in North Carolina, located three states to the north of Florida, are swiftly expanding their services and reducing wait times to accommodate the influx of patients.
Katherine Farris, the chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, reported a surge in appointments, with patients from Florida seeking services that are now unavailable in their state.
This trend reflects a broader phenomenon across the United States since the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022. With more than 20 states implementing laws restricting or banning abortions, states with less stringent regulations have taken proactive measures to welcome women seeking abortion services.
Democratic-controlled states have enacted laws facilitating access to abortions for out-of-state women. Some of these measures include protecting in-state healthcare workers from legal repercussions for providing abortions to women from states with restrictive abortion laws.
Additionally, providers in these states are increasingly offering abortion pills through telehealth services, making the procedure more accessible.