WA Planned Parenthood clinics prepare for surge as Idaho, other states restrict abortion

[Demovictory9]

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-planned-parenthood-clinics-prepare-for-surge-as-idaho-other-states-restrict-abortion/

Planned Parenthoods in Washington have seen patients from Texas seeking abortions here, since that state’s restrictive abortion law went into effect in September, said Rebecca Gibron, acting CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky.

“We are, right now, working to stabilize all of our health centers, shore up access, lean into telehealth for birth control, contraceptive access, and ensuring that patients who need abortion access in Washington, we will be here for them to get it,” Gibron said at a news conference Friday in Seattle.

Dr. Erin Berry, Washington medical director for Planned Parenthood, said they’ve begun investing more resources and staff into their call centers and into patient navigators, who can help out-of-state patients access abortions.

“It’s not just getting the appointment, it’s getting them to the appointment and getting them home,” Berry said.

Berry said each of their 15 sites in Washington has seen patients from Texas. She described it as a “ripple effect,” as abortion access plummeted in Texas and demand in neighboring states surged, which meant longer wait times, which meant patients seeking care farther away.

“People who are able to fly say, ‘OK, where can I fly, where do I have family to stay with,’ ” Berry said.