Planned Parenthood Statement on New Report Showing Vast Increase in Out-of-State Patients That May Seek Care in California if Roe v Wade is Overturned
October 28, 2021
Brandon Richards, Director of Communications
[email protected]
Guttmacher Report Shows Nearly 3000% Increase in Women of Reproductive Age who Would Find Their Next Nearest Clinic in California Should 26 States Ban Abortion
SACRAMENTO – Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) released the following statement from President and CEO Jodi Hicks in reaction to the newly released report by the Guttmacher Institute showing a 2,923% increase in out-of-state women of reproductive age who would find their next nearest clinic now located in California, should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v Wade and 26 states ban access to abortion as anticipated.
“This new data shows how dire the country’s sexual and reproductive health care situation is and how harmful the dangerous policies that restrict access to abortion are to millions of people. No one should have to navigate a health system far from their home for essential care and that is assuming someone even has the means and ability to travel.”
“Beyond the real people affected, these numbers paint a harrowing picture of the huge impact extremist policies in other states have on people in California. Planned Parenthood will continue to work closely with policymakers, legal experts, providers, and advocates to ensure California is urgently building upon its status as a Reproductive Freedom state. It is imperative that California invests in our front-line providers, as well as ensure practical support to navigate barriers to abortion care is protected and expanded. As we brace for this potential increase in people needing abortion services here in California, our state must be as prepared as possible to avoid a situation of delayed care for both Californians and those needing care from out-of-state. While we continue to strive for health equity in California, this must include access to abortion for all.”
The California Future of Abortion Council, which Planned Parenthood is a member of along with 30+ other organizations, is working quickly to put together policy and resource proposals that increase access and affordability of abortion services to all who seek it within the state of California. The Council will be announcing proposals ahead of the new legislative session and working with California policymakers to act as soon as possible.
According to the report by the Guttmacher Institute, if there was a total ban on abortion in the 26 states that are certain or likely to ban abortion, the number of out-of-state women of reproductive age who would find their next nearest clinic in California would increase from a previous 46,000 to 1.4 million, with 1.3 million of these people residing in Arizona. According to the report, California would see the third highest percent increase of the 13 identified “Destination States” – states that would not ban or limit access. Read the full report from the Guttmacher Institute here.
Read more about the California Future of Abortion Council here and here.
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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of sexual and reproductive health care and sex education.