A new abortion clinic is set to open in southeast Kansas this fall, marking the state as a regional hub for reproductive health services in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The facility, operated by Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, will offer abortion procedures and pills, as well as a range of other reproductive health services. Since the Roe reversal, Kansas has seen an increase in individuals from neighboring states seeking abortion services due to more restrictive laws in their own states.
In March 2023, 44% of abortion patients at Planned Parenthood clinics in Kansas traveled more than 250 miles, a significant increase from just 1% two years earlier. More than half of these patients are now coming from Texas, with some even traveling from as far as Florida for abortion services in Kansas. The new clinic in Pittsburg, Kansas, will provide a closer option for patients from states like Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, where access to abortion is limited.
The landscape of abortion across the U.S. has been changing rapidly following the Supreme Court’s decision to revoke the constitutional right to abortion nationwide in June 2022. Many Republican-led states have implemented new bans or restrictions on abortion, leading individuals to seek services elsewhere. In response, new clinics are opening near state borders to meet the growing demand, with some states considering legislation to restrict out-of-state abortions.
The growth in providers near state lines has led to concerns from anti-abortion activists, who have labeled the practice as “abortion trafficking.” Efforts are being made in some states to restrict access to abortion, including legislation that would make it illegal to assist minors in obtaining abortions without parental consent. Kansas, despite having a Democratic Governor who supports abortion rights, has seen the Republican-controlled Legislature pass bills that impose additional requirements on abortion providers.
As the new clinic in Pittsburg, Kansas, prepares to open its doors, it aims to meet the increasing demand for abortion services from individuals living in states with more restrictive laws. With the shifting landscape of abortion access in the U.S., the opening of new clinics near state borders highlights the importance of reproductive health services and the ongoing debate surrounding abortion rights. The location of these clinics plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals have access to safe and legal abortion care.
