Minnesota Planned Parenthood could see 25% increase in patients if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Here’s why.

If the monumental Roe v. Wade decision is overturned, Minnesota Planned Parenthood clinics could see a 10%-25% increase in patients seeking abortion care if trigger laws banning abortion in North Dakota and South Dakota go into effect, said Dr. Sarah Traxler, the Chief Medical Officer for Planned Parenthood North Central States in a virtual press conference Tuesday.

Politico reported Monday night that a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court showed the nation's highest court voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which protects a pregnant woman's right to an abortion. Justices can and have changed their votes in the past as drafts are rewritten and opinions circulate, and the court's holding will not be final until it is published in the coming months.

Although the court's decision is not final, Planned Parenthood North Central States president and CEO Sarah Stoesz said the draft is jarring and if Roe v. Wade is reversed many women would lose access to abortion services nationwide.

More: Explosive leaked draft in abortion case reveals Supreme Court on verge of overturning Roe

North Dakota and South Dakota have laws that would trigger almost total bans on abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

But in Minnesota, the Doe v. Gomez ruling establishes abortion as a constitutional right.

"This is a difficult day, no question about it. But the very first thing I do want to say is that every single one of Planned Parenthood clinic doors are open today. And they will remain so until the very last moment of the very last day... if abortion becomes illegal in this country," Stoesz said.

More: Supreme Court verifies authenticity of leaked opinion in abortion case but says decision not final

Overturning Roe would have 'disproportionate' effect

Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of health care services, including abortion at some of its sites. Stoesz said the organization has been preparing for the possibility of an abortion ban for a while now.

"We have been fortifying our delivery system so that we are ready. We have been expanding access every place that we are able in order to prepare, because the very first reason that we exist as Planned Parenthood is to take care of our patients. And that is what we are very, very proud to do," she said.

"Of course, we are furious at the possibility that abortion could become illegal in this country. And if that happens, it will fall disproportionately on certain states, including certain states and our region. The effect of this will also fall disproportionately on those who are unable to travel."

More: 'Whole range of rights could now be at risk' if Roe v. Wade is overturned, Biden says: Live updates

27 states prohibit prescribing abortion pills by telehealth services or require one or more in-person visits with a health care provider before receiving the pills. Among those states are North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Planned Parenthood is prohibited from sending pills to patients in states where that is illegal.

Stoesz said the choice to get an abortion is morally complex but argued, "that must be left up to individuals to make that decision."

"It is important to underscore that an abortion ban is not an abortion ban for all people. It is only an abortion ban for those who lack the means to travel to a state where abortion is safe and accessible," Stoesz said. "And that is one of the true moral outrages of this situation. I also want to say that at Planned Parenthood, we are very, very prepared for the fight."

Challenges ahead

Traxler said like other health care sectors, the pandemic hit Planned Parenthood clinics hard and some staff have left the field. That raises a challenge in supporting an expected increase in demand for abortion services amidst the health care worker shortage.

Depending on what happens, she said states like Minnesota may see a surge in patients to the point where Planned Parenthood will not be able to meet all the demand in the short term.

"We're all hurting a little bit today. It's really difficult to imagine our bodily autonomy being taken away from us," Traxler said. "And as an abortion provider, and just a medical provider in general, it's devastating to consider this breach of basic health care. So I just want to be very clear: We're gonna be here for the long haul. And we're going to fight to make sure that this is accessible to everybody."

More: If Roe v. Wade is overturned, here's how abortion laws in each state will stand

Planned Parenthood is not considering opening additional clinics in Minnesota, but "we absolutely will" if necessary, Stoesz said. In the future Planned Parenthood anticipates more fundraising to help patients with travel expenses, lost wages or child care assistance, she said.

Stoesz encouraged advocates to get involved politically.

"Now is the time to mobilize. There is no moment like this moment. And there is no election like this election," she said. "2022 will be pivotal for this country. It is a decisive moment, and one that the country has never faced before in the way that it is facing today. Elections matter."

Becca Most is a cities reporter with the St. Cloud Times. Reach her at 320-241-8213 or bmost@stcloudtimes.com. Follow her on Twitter at @becca_most.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to sctimes.com today.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota abortion laws may cause spike in Planned Parenthood patients