Oklahoma abortion clinics expect ripple effect from strict, new anti-abortion law - KTUL

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) – Most Oklahoma lawmakers support the end to abortion in the state, but instead clinics are facing an influx of Texas patients where a ban is already in place.

"We’re constantly impacted by the stories of people who have to travel hundreds of miles to get this. Hearing from people in Oklahoma who have to travel to Kansas because there’s such an influx of Texas patients," said Zack Gingrich-Gaylord, Communications Director for Trust Women.

Trust Women is one of the few abortion clinics in Oklahoma, with another clinic in Kansas.

He said appointments are booked out for two to four weeks since Texas passed its abortion ban last fall. He expects Oklahoma's ban to cause a similar ripple effect.

"None of these states were set up to take in thousands of patients from another state," said Gingrich-Gaylord. "We have access issues of our own in each of these states."

He said 89% of counties in the U.S. already don't have abortion access.

A study from the University of Texas evaluated how the Texas ban is impacting the surrounding state. The study found 45% of Texas patients go to Oklahoma and one in four Texans go to New Mexico.

Before the ban, about 500 Texans would travel across state lines for the procedure. Now that number is over 5,000.

As Oklahoma's laws are set to change in August, surrounding states are preparing to make room for Texas and Oklahoma patients.

"Ultimately though, each of these states need to walk back these bans," said Gingrich-Gaylord.

He said changing laws are another burden for patients as they have to learn the laws for three to four states.

source: https://ktul.com/news/local/oklahoma-abortion-laws-cause-clinics-to-prepare-for-more-out-of-state-abortion-patients

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