Ripple Effects Without Roe: More Patients Traveling for Essential Health Care
For Immediate Release: Jan. 22, 2024
Planned Parenthood North Central States is proud to provide abortion care in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska
St. Paul, MN— January 22, 2024, marks what would’ve been the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. A year and a half since Roe was overturned, the harmful consequences of denying pregnant people access to abortion care are clear. Overturning Roe has resulted in devastating abortion bans that make patients travel for care and has limited access to other forms of sexual and reproductive health care.
“We knew that overturning Roe would create ripple effect on the entire health care system,” said Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Banning abortion has harmed sexual and reproductive health care as a whole. Data is starting to reveal how already abysmal health disparities have only increased since Roe was overturned, like maternal and infant mortality rates.”
Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) has seen 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, there’s been an increase in patients coming from states like Texas, Florida, and Missouri. And in states that have banned abortion, maternal and infant mortality are on the rise, sexually transmitted infection rates are climbing, and health care deserts are growing.
“Life as an abortion provider has always looked different depending on where you live, but the contrast has only grown starker,” said Dr. Sarah Traxler, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Everyone has a right to health care. And your zip code shouldn’t dictate the care you can access. Some patients have to travel hundreds of miles to see me. They deserve to access abortion care in their own communities.”
Planned Parenthood is committed to building health care that meets the needs of the communities that face the most significant barriers, like Black, Indigenous, low-income, and rural communities. Health care access is not the same for everyone, and while the fall of Roe has made it more transparent, the system has been unfair for quite some time.
“We’re working to expand access to care in critical areas and thinking creatively about not only the services we provide but how we provide them. Everyone deserves to make decisions about their own bodies and futures.” said Richardson.
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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 25 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.