Abortion Access: Providers Open New Clinics Near States with Bans

In the weeks since the Supreme Court overturned Roe and dismantled federal abortion protections, conservative states have begun enforcing bans on the procedure. Now, reproductive health providers have started leaving those states, working to open new outposts for abortion on the borders in nearby states that appear likely to maintain access.

Strategic Clinic Relocations and New Outposts

Abortion providers are trying to open new clinics as close as possible to states with bans. Providers hope the new clinics can help serve the surge of patients now expected to travel for abortions. The following data highlights current relocation plans:

• Whole Woman’s Health: Plans to close its four Texas abortion clinics and open one in neighboring New Mexico.
• CHOICES: Based in Memphis, Tennessee, it is opening a clinic in Carbondale, Illinois, the closest state expected to protect abortion rights.
• Red River Women’s Clinic: North Dakota’s sole abortion clinic is planning to relocate across the river to Minnesota.
• Jackson Women’s Health Organization: The Mississippi clinic is moving to Las Cruces, New Mexico — just 20 minutes from the Texas border.
• Planned Parenthood: Working to open a new clinic in Ontario, Oregon, to serve the patients expected to leave neighboring Idaho in search of abortions.

The Growing Strain on Reproductive Health Care

The pattern reflects a growing reality: About a dozen states will soon be tasked with providing the majority of the nation’s abortions, per an analysis by the Guttmacher Institute. But in those states, there aren’t enough clinics to provide care for everyone in need. Wait times for abortion appointments have increased to two to three weeks from one to two days. Chelsea Souder, whose Hope Medical Clinic in Granite City, Illinois has seen its patient volume skyrocket since Roe was overturned, said the change “will be really helpful,” but the new clinics won’t be able to fully account for all the people now likely to travel.

Jennifer Pepper, the CHOICES executive director, noted that “there will be people who have the ability and resources [to travel for an abortion] and are going to have a very hard time finding an appointment because the clinics are already at capacity.”

Consolidation and Telehealth Expansion in Missouri

Three Planned Parenthood clinics in eastern and southern Missouri will shut their doors next month, though the organization’s leaders insist the moves will ultimately expand access to reproductive health care. On Nov. 1, the Florissant health center in North St. Louis County and the South Grand Health Center just south of downtown St. Louis will close. On Jan. 1, the health center in Joplin will also close. Planned Parenthood Great Rivers will be expanding telehealth services and hours at its remaining St. Louis clinics.

Richard Muniz, interim president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, said the goal is to increase virtual care access and get patients in touch with providers sooner. These changes are meant to “ensure long-term sustainability in the face of repeated attacks from politicians on sexual and reproductive health care.”

Legislative Impacts and Future Access

The moves come as the state has successfully implemented legislation cutting Planned Parenthood clinics off from Medicaid funding. Lawmakers this year passed a bill ending Medicaid reimbursements, meaning clinics won’t be compensated for patients they serve who are on Medicaid. Fights over the legislation earlier this year emphasized Missouri’s reproductive health care and contraceptive deserts. Additionally, Missourians are set to vote on whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, a decision that could radically expand access to reproductive health care around the state.