Abortion Providers Establish New Clinics Near States with Abortion 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. Providers hope the new clinics can help serve the surge of patients now expected to travel for abortions.

Strategic Relocation to Border States

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. To address this, several organizations have announced relocation efforts:

• Whole Woman’s Health announced plans to close its four Texas abortion clinics and open one in neighboring New Mexico.
• CHOICES, based in Memphis, Tennessee, is opening a clinic in Carbondale, Illinois, the closest state expected to protect abortion rights.
• Red River Women’s Clinic, which was North Dakota’s sole abortion clinic, is planning to relocate across the river to Minnesota.
• Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Mississippi clinic at the center of the Supreme Court case overturning Roe v. Wade, is moving to Las Cruces, New Mexico — just 20 minutes from the Texas border.
• Planned Parenthood is working to open a new clinic in Ontario, Oregon, to serve the patients expected to leave neighboring Idaho in search of abortions.

Managing Patient Volume and Wait Times

Multiple abortion providers are looking to open sites in southern Illinois — a change that “will be really helpful,” said Chelsea Souder. Currently, wait times for abortion appointments have increased to two to three weeks from one to two days. If these clinics do manage to open, the influx could alleviate some of the strain abortion providers in New Mexico and southern Illinois are facing. “There’s no way the existing providers in New Mexico can accommodate that kind of volume of need,” said Amy Hagstrom Miller, CEO of Whole Woman’s Health.

Clinical Abortion Services and Support

At FPA Chicago, we offer safe, confidential, and convenient access to abortion pills for women in Chicago and the greater Chicago area. FPA is offering the abortion pill up to 12 weeks and surgical abortion with sedation up to 24 weeks. Specifically, medication abortion uses two pills — mifepristone and misoprostol — to safely and effectively end an early pregnancy at home. For those requiring later care, in-office abortion care is done in one day, with deep sleep sedation by a CRNA or local anesthetic for your comfort and safety. Family Planning Associates Medical Group is honored to accept patients from Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Iowa.

Financial Assistance and Travel Help

We are proud to offer financial assistance for those without insurance or the ability to pay. If you are a resident of Illinois, you may qualify for free abortion care. Please do not delay your care for financial reasons. Contact us today — we can help you access funds for both abortion care and transportation immediately. You can trust FPA, we’re here to support you every step of the way.