A Year Without Roe: More Patients Travelling, Choosing Procedural Abortions

Planned Parenthood North Central States is proud to provide abortion care in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska

St. Paul, MN— On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court made history by overturning a long held right for the first time in American history. A year later, the harmful consequences of denying pregnant people access to abortion care are clear. Overturning Roe has resulted in devastating abortion bans across the country and created a manufactured state of confusion.

“Our patients are more scared and more confused than a year ago,” said Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “The shifting legal sands make it hard for patients to keep up, and that creates a chilling effect to accessing health care. This new landscape is unfair – but in all honesty, it’s been unfair for quite some time for structurally marginalized communities.”

Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) has seen a 9% increase in total abortions since Roe was overturned. There has also been a nearly 100% increase in patients travelling from outside of our five-state region to get an abortion here. While PPNCS continues to primarily serve patients from our region and communities, we've seen an increase in patients coming from states like Texas, Louisiana, and Missouri.  

“My day-to-day job hasn’t changed,” said Dr. Sarah Traxler, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood North Central States. “What’s changed is that politicians now regularly insert themselves into my exam room. What’s changed is that I see patients travel from states like Texas and Louisiana. What's changed is that my colleagues in states where abortion is banned are now forced to ask lawyers what care they can provide. We all deserve so much better, and I am proud of our team for showing up every day for our patients.”

Limiting access to any part of health care hurts the entire health care system and marginalized communities the most. There has already been an increase in maternal mortality since Roe was overturned, and the trends are expected to worsen.

“Everyone deserves to make decisions about their own bodies and futures. While innovative PPNCS programs like patient navigators help meet patient needs, we want to live in a world where everyone can access health care in their own community. And we’ll work on all levels to make that world a reality,” said Richardson.

As the volatility in the landscape continues and the cost of providing care climbs, PPNCS is responding with an abortion access plan that increases the number of abortion patients who can be seen. The plan adjusts to the increasing costs and continuous political interference, while continuing to meet patient needs. PPNCS will be investing in key staffing positions, expanding abortion care, and reducing overhead expenses. The plan will quickly launch on July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Status of Abortion in Minnesota

The right to abortion care is protected in Minnesota under both a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling and a state statute, the Protect Reproductive Options Act. Since Roe was overturned, access to abortion care has expanded in Minnesota through a court ruling abortion restrictions as unconstitutional, and the Minnesota legislature removing those barriers from the books.

Status of Abortion in Iowa

Abortion is currently legal in Iowa. The Iowa Supreme Court recently released an order that keeps abortion legal in the state. This spring, Iowa House Republicans introduced a wild abortion ban that included internet regulation, and which some analysts called S.B 8 on steroids.  

Status of Abortion in Nebraska

Abortion in Nebraska is banned after 12 weeks of pregnancy under LB 574 which was passed this year. PPNCS filed a lawsuit against LB 574, which combines a 12-week abortion ban and restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth. ACLU of Nebraska is representing the case that cites the Nebraska constitution’s “single subject requirement,” which states that “No bill shall contain more than one subject.”

Status of Abortion in North Dakota

In 2023, the North Dakota legislature passed SB 2150, a near total abortion ban. SB 2150 bans all abortions in North Dakota, except in very narrow circumstances where a pregnant person’s life is at risk. The bill also provides an exception for survivors of rape or incest, but only until six weeks of pregnancy, before most people even know they are pregnant. It is not exactly clear how the North Dakota Supreme Court ruling will impact the bill.

Status of Abortion in South Dakota.  

Abortion is banned in South Dakota from a trigger law that immediately took effect when Roe was overturned. Planned Parenthood North Central States continues to provide family planning and other sexual and reproductive health care services in South Dakota.

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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate 28 health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota).  Each year, we provide health care to nearly 100,000 people and health education to more than 50,000 people in our region.