While the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion rights in California will still be intact. But how will clinics be able to handle the huge influx of women from other states where abortion access is either banned or severely restricted?
Cheri Greven with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte said in the days and weeks ahead, their clinics will start seeing a large number of patients. They are getting ready to serve women from around 26 states, who are expected to come to California seeking abortions.
“California could see an influx of 3,000% patients from out of state,” Greven said. “So, you’re looking at well over a million patients coming into California.”
Greven said they saw the writing on the wall, so they are prepared to take in an additional 250-500 patients each week. Greven added that is possible due in large part to their efforts to expand the workforce.
“Our goal has always been to train more abortion providers, contract with more outside abortion providers that can come in and fill a gap if needed,” Greven said.
They are also adding more resources to their health centers, especially those near major transportation hubs such as Sacramento, San Jose and Oakland. Greven said they want to make sure local patients do not deal with longer-than-normal wait times.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Friday that would help women seeking abortions in California. Assembly Bill 1666 is meant to protect those in California from civil liability for providing, aiding, or receiving abortion care in the state. This comes as states like Missouri are trying to sue its residents who get abortions out of state.
While those who get abortions in California will be protected, McGeorge School of Law Professor Leslie Jacobs told KCRA 3 that it is still unclear what happens afterward when they head back to their home states.
“The more difficult question is what can they do punishment-wise when their citizens come back,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs added that the even bigger unknown is how everything will play out in court.
“All of these things are going to be litigated, and what’s going to be so complex about it, is that they’re going to get litigated in a bunch of different states. And courts are going to reach different judgments,” Jacobs said.
On Friday, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Department of Justice would protect women who travel from states with bans to get abortions in states where it is legal.
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