NC abortion providers prepare for influx in patients as neighboring states enact stricter laws
Abortion providers in North Carolina say they're preparing for an increase in patients from across state lines following new restrictions in neighboring South Carolina.
Posted — UpdatedAs Planned Parenthood in Wilmington takes steps to welcome those seeking care, anti-abortion activists in the community are looking for more restrictions.
In the four days since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, 18 states have banned or restricted abortion care.
On Monday, a judge allowed South Carolina to restrict abortion access after six weeks of pregnancy, with the only exceptions being if the mother’s life was in danger or for rape or incest.
“We absolutely are expecting to see an influx of patients from surrounding states here in North Carolina,” Planned Parenthood South Atlantic spokesperson Alison Kiser said.
North Carolina currently allows access to abortion up to 20 weeks into pregnancy. With care more accessible in North Carolina following South Carolina’s restrictions, Planned Parenthood’s Wilmington clinic expects to see more patients make the journey 40 miles from the state line.
“We have been preparing for this moment for some time,” Kiser said. “Including doing things like expanding our health center hours, training new providers, even expanding parts of our facilities.”
The prospect of patients traveling to Wilmington for abortion care didn’t sit well with everyone in the community.
Wilmington Life Chain director Freddy Justice celebrated the court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“I’m saddened that a woman would feel like she needed to go anywhere to end the life of her child,” Justice said. “That’s how I would feel about it whether she was coming from South Carolina or South Dakota.”
Justice told WRAL News he hoped to see North Carolina pass its own abortion restrictions as soon as possible.
“I would be very pleased if abortion was eliminated period, not just in my state, but in my country,” he said.
Until that time comes, Planned Parenthood Wilmington said they’d continue taking in patients with open arms.
“We are built for this moment, we have been preparing for it for some time,” Kiser said. “While the court’s ruling is obviously devastating, we are committed to ensuring people have access to the care that they need.”
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