Vice President Kamala Harris Makes Stop at Planned Parenthood Health Center in Fight for Reproductive Freedom Tour

St. Paul, MN— Vice President Kamala Harris today toured a Minnesota Planned Parenthood health center and talked to staff and Minnesotans about how the state has been impacted by extreme abortion bans in other states that force people out of state to receive the care they need.

The stop was her sixth in her nationwide “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour. Vice President Harris also rejected proposals to enact a national abortion ban, while outlining the administration’s work to safeguard reproductive freedom since the overturning of Roe v. Wade almost two years ago.

“We are beyond thrilled to have Vice President Harris at our health center to talk about reproductive health care and show what the status of abortion is like not only in our state, but in our five-state region,” said Ruth Richardson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Despite the losses we have suffered and attacks we have endured, we are at a crossroads where we have the ability to reimagine and rebuild our health care system, so everyone regardless of their zip code can receive the essential care they so desperately need. In today’s landscape, care isn’t guaranteed even if you live in a state like Minnesota where it has been enshrined into state law. But we will never stop helping our patients break down the barriers that state governments have built.”

Minnesota last year enshrined reproductive freedom into state law, guaranteeing access to abortion, contraception, maternity care, and fertility services. The state, however, is seeing large increases in out of state patients seeking abortion care, which has made it more difficult to receive care. In response, Planned Parenthood North Central States has expanded abortion access across the state.

Minnesota has also since the fall of Roe repealed a 24-hour waiting period, extensive reporting requirements and criminalization of abortion. Minnesota agencies are also prohibited under state law from assisting other states’ investigations and prosecutions in connection with legal abortion care.

PPNCS also includes Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Both Dakotas currently ban abortion, while Nebraska lawmakers last year adopted a 12-week abortion ban. Iowa politicians also called an unprecedented special session last year to pass a near total abortion ban that is on hold as it works its way through the courts.

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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.