NEW PLANNED PARENTHOOD DATA HIGHLIGHT THE FAR-REACHING IMPACT OF TEXAS ABORTION BAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America released new data detailing the devastating impact of S.B. 8, Texas’s six-week “sue-thy-neighbor” abortion ban. The newly gathered information sheds light on S.B. 8's effect on Texas and surrounding states including Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri. The data, which was collected last year between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, show that Planned Parenthood health centers in these surrounding states saw a nearly 800% increase in abortion patients from Texas compared to Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2020. 

For nearly six months S.B. 8 has denied Texans their constitutional right to abortion with no end in sight. These new numbers support what abortion providers in Texas and neighboring states have been sharing since the ban went into effect on Sept. 1, 2021: Texans are being forced to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to access abortion – if they can find the necessary resources to do so – or to carry pregnancies against their will.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“These numbers are staggering and just one part of the devastating picture on the ground in Texas and the surrounding states. For nearly six months, the country’s most restrictive abortion ban has led to continued chaos and a sustained crisis for patients and providers in Texas and beyond. As these data demonstrate, S.B. 8 has forced Texans to travel extraordinary distances to access constitutionally protected abortion care – and that’s only the people who are able to do so. Those who can’t find the money or get time off work, secure child care, lodging, transportation, and other resources necessary to cross state lines are forced to carry pregnancies against their will or seek abortion outside of the health care system. This reality is heartbreaking and a glimpse of what’s to come should the Supreme Court restrict the constitutional right to an abortion even further.”

Statement from presidents and CEOs of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, and Planned Parenthood South Texas: 

“For nearly six months, Texans have been denied their constitutional right to abortion and our health centers have been forced to turn away patients in need of essential health care. These data show what we have always known: Banning abortion does not stop the need for abortion – it only makes accessing abortion more difficult for the people with the fewest resources. It is unthinkable that patients are being forced to flee Texas and make long and costly journeys to overburdened health centers in other states when we could provide this care safely in our own communities. We will continue to do everything we can to provide for our patients within the confines of this harmful law, and we will never stop fighting for everyone’s ability to access safe and legal abortion.”

The new data show that from Sept. 1 to Dec 31, 2021:

• Abortion patients with a Texas zip code made up more than half of the total number of abortion patients at Planned Parenthood health centers in Oklahoma, compared to less than 10% from September to December 2020.
• Planned Parenthood health centers in Oklahoma saw a nearly 2500% increase in abortion patients with Texas zip codes compared to the previous year. 
• There was a more than 1000% increase in abortion patients with Texas zip codes at Planned Parenthood health centers in Colorado, compared to previous years. 
• There was a more than 100% increase in abortion patients with Texas zip codes at Planned Parenthood health centers in New Mexico compared to the previous year.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.