CONCORD – The dangerous and chilling Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is already having devastating consequences across the country and impacting northern New England as we now have a patchwork of abortion access in our country.  

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has been working with independent reproductive health providers to prepare for this moment and we remain committed to ensuring everyone who needs an abortion in New Hampshire can safely and legally access that care, regardless of income or zip code. 

Statement from Kayla Montgomery, VP of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England:

“In just over three weeks, we have already seen the harm caused by the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Patients shouldn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to access care, but for millions of Americans that’s now their reality. Here in New Hampshire, we will continue to do all we can to meet this need and provide care that is supportive and respectful.

The impact of Dobbs is far reaching. Granite Staters are frightened and making decisions about their reproductive health and future as a result. It is critical that our elected leaders do everything within their power to protect patient and clinician safety.”  

Background PPNNE Date:

·         PPNNE continues its work to expand access to services across the three states including direct to patient medication abortion services (pills mailed to patient), expansion of abortion locations, and increasing hours of service at seven health centers. Since June 24, PPNNE has experienced an uptick in patient calls for services including abortion and birth control. Both in-state and out-of-state calls have increased. 

·         Abortion patients from banned or deeply restricted states: Since June 24, more than a dozen patients from the following states have booked abortion services with PPNNE: Georgia, Michigan, Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas. 

·         IUDS (intrauterine devices) and Implants (birth control implanted into the arm): PPNNE continues to see an uptick in patients scheduling appointments for LARCs—long-acting reversible contraception. LARC appointment bookings have increased 60% since June 24.  

·         Vasectomy: The week after the decision, there was an increase in bookings for vasectomy services. Currently, PPNNE is back to the normal daily average of less than 2 appointment bookings per day. This service is currently only available at our Burlington, VT health center. 

·         The Domino Effect – Patients traveling from border states: It is common for PPNNE to see patients from the bordering states of MA & NY. However, PPNNE health centers are hearing anecdotes from MA patients that they could get an appointment faster with PPNNE than with their nearby provider. This domino effect was an expected outcome of the SCOTUS ruling. As more patients travel from out of state to other areas for care, fewer appointment slots are available to local patients, who in turn may be forced to travel for time sensitive care.