More Out-of-State Patients Seeking Abortion Care in Pennsylvania
More out-of-state patients seeking abortion care in Pennsylvania, providers say. During a panel discussion Tuesday in western Pennsylvania, U.S. Congressman Chris Deluzio said the majority in this country wants to see abortion rights protected, not banned. Deluzio was joined by reproductive health care providers to discuss the current state of access to care and the challenges that clinics and professionals face.
Impact of the Dobbs Decision on Patient Volume
Providers told lawmakers that since the Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs V. Jackson Health Center ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, western Pennsylvania abortion providers have seen a “sharp increase in out-of-state patients seeking care.” Sydney Etheredge, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, noted that pre-Dobbs, approximately 16% of our patients were from out-of-state, primarily from our directly surrounding neighbors.
Now, in the post-Dobbs era, a quarter of our patients are traveling from 19 different states. These states are well beyond our region’s borders and as far west as Texas and as far south as Florida. The following table illustrates the shift in patient demographics and the current provider landscape:
| Category | Data Point |
|---|---|
| Pre-Dobbs out-of-state patients | Approximately 16% |
| Post-Dobbs out-of-state patients | 25% (a quarter) |
| Number of states patients travel from | 19 different states |
| Abortion providers in Pennsylvania | 18 providers |
| Pennsylvania population served | Nearly 13 million residents |
Challenges and Barriers to Access
With just 18 abortion providers serving Pennsylvania’s nearly 13 million residents across its 67 counties, Etheredge said the influx of out–of–state patients has strained the clinic’s staff and its resources. Dr. Amy Collins, medical director of Allegheny Reproductive Health Center, said that the year since Dobbs has been “eye-opening” in terms of access to care. “We doubled the number of appointments and worked for 12 to 13 hours a day just to be able to get folks in and to get them the care that they needed,” Collins said.
While abortion is legal in Pennsylvania, Etheredge called lawmakers’ attention to “an overly legislative medical infrastructure” that she said works “against patient needs” by creating barriers such as:
- A 24-hour waiting period
- Pre-procedure lab work
- Protections needed for patient information
Current Legal Status and Available Services
ABORTION IS LEGAL IN PENNSYLVANIA. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has committed to protecting safe and legal access to abortion and birth control and has stated that he will continue to veto any legislation that threatens access to abortion and women’s health care. If you’re pregnant and seeking an abortion, your nearest Planned Parenthood health center or another trusted reproductive health care provider can help you understand your options.
There are two ways of ending a pregnancy: in-clinic abortion and abortion pills. Both are safe and effective. You can get either option from Planned Parenthood health centers and other health centers. Our expert medical staff is ready to see you for routine and preventive GYN care such as annual well-woman check ups, birth control, and emergency contraception.
Available Locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania
- 1144 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- 1221 Powell Street, Norristown, PA 19401
- 2751 Comly Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154
- 8 South Wayne Street, West Chester, PA 19382