By Juanita Ramos
Following the law restricting abortion in Texas, states like California are preparing to be a safe destination for women who wish to terminate their pregnancies.
Governor Gavin Newsom and some of the state legislators asked a group of reproductive health experts to draft a proposal to strengthen the policies and infrastructure necessary to ensure access to voluntary termination of pregnancy.
The team, called the
California Future of Abortion Council
or Council on the future of abortion in California, will work on this mission.
The effort adds to that of abortion clinics already working to meet the increased demand.
Activists demonstrate on September 9, 2021 in Missouri in favor of abortion.Jim Salter / AP
The restricted Texas law that came into effect on September 1, prohibits almost all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, also penalizes those who help pregnant people to access this service.
The ban has forced women to move to other states.
According to statements to the Los Angeles Times of Dr. Janet Jacobson, Medical Director of
Planned Parenthood
of Orange County and San Bernardino, an average of three to four patients from out of state visit their clinics every day, about
the twice as many people since Texas law went into effect.
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The number may increase over time, which
is why Jacobson says it is urgent to increase clinical capacity in California to prevent state residents who require an abortion from missing an appointment.
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"We have to make sure that we can continue to care for all of our patients," he said.
A report from the Guttmacher Institute points to California as one of the most viable destinations for women in Texas to have an abortion.
An analysis projects that the number of women of reproductive age who can come to the state to require this service would go from
46,000 to 1.4 million, which means an increase of 2,923%.
But not only California is beginning to notice this trend.
Another study published on November 9 also by the Guttmacher Institute, ensures that states such as Alabama, Arizona, Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee and Washington have also seen an increase in the number of patients from Texas.
Protesters hold signs during the protest in Washington DC against abortion restrictions, this Saturday, October 2, 2021.Jose Luis Magana / AP
The Supreme Court is analyzing the constitutionality of the law, however, its sentence will be known until spring.
While thousands await the verdict in suspense, states like Florida and Ohio also prepare their own restrictions.
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According to what was reported by the Los Angeles Times in December, the high court will review a lawsuit that may have a greater impact on reproductive rights.
This is
Dobbs v.
Jackson Women's Health Organization
, a lawsuit over restrictions imposed in 2018 in Mississippi, where abortion is prohibited after 15 weeks.
If the Supreme Court sides with Mississippi, its decision could nullify the constitutional right to abortion upheld by the landmark
Roe v.
Wade
.
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If so, states with stronger protections for pregnant people will attract more patients.
Planned Parenthood
clinics
in California say they already serve about 7,000
out-of-state women a year and expect an increase, especially in areas like Los Angeles.
However, the challenge for the state also represents an economic impact, the team that will design the policy would be thinking of asking for an increase in the rate paid by Medi-Cal health insurance for abortions so that more providers perform them and lower costs for women outside of California.
It is also expected to strengthen telemedicine.
According to the Perrucci Clinic, cited by the Los Angeles Times, it
has booked about 10 appointments for Texas women since the state's ban went into effect, but only half have come forward.
Lawmakers would vote on the abortion expert council's ideas in January.