Planned Parenthood clinics in California are bracing for an uptick in patients for abortions, after the Arizona Supreme Court upheld a nearly total prohibition on the procedure.
On Tuesday the court effectively by reinstating an 1864 law that forbids the procedure except to save a mother鈥檚 life, without exemptions for rape or incest.
鈥淲e were all saddened by the decision, and one of my colleagues at a different clinic said 鈥榃ow, we鈥檙e going to get slammed,鈥欌�� said Mia Neustein, a nurse practitioner with Planned Parenthood clinics in the Coachella Valley.
Health care providers said the Arizona decision complicates the chaotic national women鈥檚 health environment that has prevailed since 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that guaranteed abortion rights.
Later in 2022, Arizona banned abortions after 15 weeks, leading to confusion among patients and providers about what was allowed. The new decision deepens that uncertainty.
The ban is set to take effect in two weeks. Although the ruling calls for prison time for abortion providers, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement her office or doctors for abortions.
鈥淏y effectively striking down a law passed this century and replacing it with one from 160 years ago, the court has risked the health and lives of Arizonans,鈥� she said.
Abortion ban confusion
Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties saw a slight increase, 13 more abortion patients a month, from Arizona in its nine clinics in 2022, said Nichole Ramirez, a spokesperson for the regional organization. That accounted for almost a third of out-of-state visits, she said, second only to Texas.
鈥淭here was a lot of confusion about which law was actually in place鈥� in Arizona, she said. 鈥淭hey had a tangled web of conflicting laws.鈥�
The clinics prepared for an influx by opening more appointment slots and training providers.
Over time the number of Arizona patients dropped to about five per month, but officials assume it may jump back up to about 13 under the more stringent ban, Hicks said. Overall, out-of-state patients account for about 2% of total abortion services at the clinics, she said.
鈥淚t is a small amount, but it is an incredibly important amount, because we鈥檙e so proud that we are able to help out these needy women,鈥� Ramirez said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and other political leaders have designated California a , and invested more than $200 million for those services, said Brandon Richards, a spokesperson for Newsom. That includes $20 million to cover costs such as travel, meals, hotels and childcare for people seeking abortions in California. A separate fund covers medical costs of the procedure.
Increased pressure
California leaders are also coordinating with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs 鈥渢o ensure Arizonans know that California has their back and have resources available should they seek care in our state,鈥� he said.
Despite the funding bump, some California clinics are coping with increased demand for abortions, coupled with other work stresses and staffing shortages. They expect the Arizona decision to heighten those pressures.
In the Coachella Valley, those pressures led workers to in Rancho Mirage and Coachella last year. Officials with their parent organization, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, were not available to comment but said in a statement that about 10% of their patients come from other states.
鈥淲e really believe in the mission,鈥� said Neustein, the nurse practitioner. 鈥淲e really want patients to be able to access these services, but in this case, they鈥檙e really restricted. So it really tugs at our heartstrings, but we鈥檙e already struggling with maintaining patient care that is sustainable, with reasonable wait times, and that doesn鈥檛 burn out the workers.鈥�
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