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| How New York Is Preparing for an Influx of Out-of-State Abortion Patients | How New York Is Preparing for an Influx of Out-of-State Abortion Patients |
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| In the post-Roe America that abortion rights advocates say they have long seen coming, pregnant women in many states will scrape together money, book hotels, arrange child care and board buses, trains and planes bound for places that provide safe abortions. New York will be one of them. | In the post-Roe America that abortion rights advocates say they have long seen coming, pregnant women in many states will scrape together money, book hotels, arrange child care and board buses, trains and planes bound for places that provide safe abortions. New York will be one of them. |
| For New York, that would represent a return to the years before Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to abortion. The state legalized the procedure in 1970, three years before the Supreme Court ruling, and soon became a sanctuary for out-of-state patients seeking to terminate their pregnancies. | For New York, that would represent a return to the years before Roe v. Wade established a constitutional right to abortion. The state legalized the procedure in 1970, three years before the Supreme Court ruling, and soon became a sanctuary for out-of-state patients seeking to terminate their pregnancies. |
| The New York law allowed abortions within 24 weeks of pregnancy, and at any time if the woman’s life was at risk. In the two years after it passed, nearly two-thirds of an estimated 402,000 abortions performed in New York City were for women who had come from elsewhere, health officials estimated. | The New York law allowed abortions within 24 weeks of pregnancy, and at any time if the woman’s life was at risk. In the two years after it passed, nearly two-thirds of an estimated 402,000 abortions performed in New York City were for women who had come from elsewhere, health officials estimated. |
| One of those women was Teresa Meade, now 73, whose friends drove her to New York from Massachusetts in 1971 after they raised several hundred dollars for the trip. | One of those women was Teresa Meade, now 73, whose friends drove her to New York from Massachusetts in 1971 after they raised several hundred dollars for the trip. |
| “New York was just known as being the closest and most accessible, and also New York was known for having clinics where it was very efficient and sympathetic,” Ms. Meade said in an interview. | “New York was just known as being the closest and most accessible, and also New York was known for having clinics where it was very efficient and sympathetic,” Ms. Meade said in an interview. |
| Now, with the Supreme Court seemingly poised to overturn Roe, advocates, abortion providers and lawmakers are working to expand New York’s abortion rights laws, and gear up for a potential surge of out-of-state patients. | Now, with the Supreme Court seemingly poised to overturn Roe, advocates, abortion providers and lawmakers are working to expand New York’s abortion rights laws, and gear up for a potential surge of out-of-state patients. |
| Local leaders of abortion funds, which assist people who face financial and logistical barriers, are ramping up fund-raising efforts. Providers are studying the law to understand whether they are protected if they treat patients from states where abortion is illegal. Community groups are spreading the word about medication abortions. | Local leaders of abortion funds, which assist people who face financial and logistical barriers, are ramping up fund-raising efforts. Providers are studying the law to understand whether they are protected if they treat patients from states where abortion is illegal. Community groups are spreading the word about medication abortions. |
| “The movement has been sounding the alarm for years,” said Chelsea Williams-Diggs, a board member of the New York Abortion Access Fund, a volunteer-driven abortion fund. | “The movement has been sounding the alarm for years,” said Chelsea Williams-Diggs, a board member of the New York Abortion Access Fund, a volunteer-driven abortion fund. |
| Already, a growing percentage of New York abortion patients appear to be coming from out of state. Nearly 9 percent of abortions performed in New York in 2019 were for out-of-state residents, according to the Centers for Disease Control, compared with about 4 percent in 2009. | Already, a growing percentage of New York abortion patients appear to be coming from out of state. Nearly 9 percent of abortions performed in New York in 2019 were for out-of-state residents, according to the Centers for Disease Control, compared with about 4 percent in 2009. |
| Groups that oppose abortion said they were also preparing for an influx of out-of-state patients if Roe is overturned. | Groups that oppose abortion said they were also preparing for an influx of out-of-state patients if Roe is overturned. |
| “Abortion is never a solution,” said the Rev. Brian A. Graebe of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Manhattan. He said his congregation works closely with the Sisters of Life, a group of Catholic nuns who oppose abortion, to bolster services such as housing and job training for women who ultimately choose to continue their pregnancies. | “Abortion is never a solution,” said the Rev. Brian A. Graebe of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Manhattan. He said his congregation works closely with the Sisters of Life, a group of Catholic nuns who oppose abortion, to bolster services such as housing and job training for women who ultimately choose to continue their pregnancies. |
| In 2019, sensing that Roe might not always be around, New York officials passed the Reproductive Health Act, which codified the right to abortion and allowed the procedure after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the fetus wasn’t viable or the health of the mother was at risk. | In 2019, sensing that Roe might not always be around, New York officials passed the Reproductive Health Act, which codified the right to abortion and allowed the procedure after 24 weeks of pregnancy in cases where the fetus wasn’t viable or the health of the mother was at risk. |
| Thirteen states have trigger laws that would ban abortion if Roe is overturned, and officials in several are seeking to punish patients who seek care elsewhere and doctors who provide it. | Thirteen states have trigger laws that would ban abortion if Roe is overturned, and officials in several are seeking to punish patients who seek care elsewhere and doctors who provide it. |
| Lawmakers have introduced a number of bills aimed at supporting providers, including measures that would shield them from certain legal liability and prohibit law enforcement from cooperating with out-of-state investigations on abortion cases. | Lawmakers have introduced a number of bills aimed at supporting providers, including measures that would shield them from certain legal liability and prohibit law enforcement from cooperating with out-of-state investigations on abortion cases. |
| There is also an amendment, sponsored by State Senator Liz Krueger, that would enshrine the right to abortion in the State Constitution, one of many measures on the table that would strengthen and expand abortion rights. | There is also an amendment, sponsored by State Senator Liz Krueger, that would enshrine the right to abortion in the State Constitution, one of many measures on the table that would strengthen and expand abortion rights. |
| Many Republicans in the State Legislature oppose such actions, calling them a waste of government resources. “Abortion rights are protected in New York, regardless of the Supreme Court’s ultimate decision. New York Democrats are fully aware of that,” said Assemblyman Will Barclay, the minority leader, adding that the plan to spend millions was “unfortunate and unnecessary.” | Many Republicans in the State Legislature oppose such actions, calling them a waste of government resources. “Abortion rights are protected in New York, regardless of the Supreme Court’s ultimate decision. New York Democrats are fully aware of that,” said Assemblyman Will Barclay, the minority leader, adding that the plan to spend millions was “unfortunate and unnecessary.” |
| But in heavily Democratic New York, legislative attempts to restrict abortion rights are unlikely to gain traction. On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $35 million fund for reproductive health clinics that she said were already treating more out-of-state patients. Unlike the legislative options under consideration, Ms. Hochul’s action went into effect immediately. | But in heavily Democratic New York, legislative attempts to restrict abortion rights are unlikely to gain traction. On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $35 million fund for reproductive health clinics that she said were already treating more out-of-state patients. Unlike the legislative options under consideration, Ms. Hochul’s action went into effect immediately. |
| Most of the money, $25 million, is being funneled to providers through the state health department, while the remaining $10 million is going to grants for security, which Ms. Hochul framed as critical given violent attacks on abortion providers or clinics. | Most of the money, $25 million, is being funneled to providers through the state health department, while the remaining $10 million is going to grants for security, which Ms. Hochul framed as critical given violent attacks on abortion providers or clinics. |
| “No one should feel unsafe accessing health care, abortion care, and no one should feel unsafe providing that health care as well,” she said, adding that she hoped the commitment would “set an example” for the nation. | “No one should feel unsafe accessing health care, abortion care, and no one should feel unsafe providing that health care as well,” she said, adding that she hoped the commitment would “set an example” for the nation. |
| Abortion opponents, who have long been outnumbered in New York, are also organizing around the issue. The Catholic Bishops of New York State on Thursday called on elected officials to shift public policy away from supporting abortions and toward educating women about their options, in hopes of steering them toward making different choices. | Abortion opponents, who have long been outnumbered in New York, are also organizing around the issue. The Catholic Bishops of New York State on Thursday called on elected officials to shift public policy away from supporting abortions and toward educating women about their options, in hopes of steering them toward making different choices. |
| “Let us work toward making New York a state where even if abortion is not illegal, it will one day be unthinkable,” the bishops said in a statement. | “Let us work toward making New York a state where even if abortion is not illegal, it will one day be unthinkable,” the bishops said in a statement. |
| Abortion funds, which help abortion patients arrange and pay for their procedures, say they are already seeing growing demand this year. | Abortion funds, which help abortion patients arrange and pay for their procedures, say they are already seeing growing demand this year. |
| As of early May, the New York Abortion Access Fund had pledged about $350,000 this year to people seeking abortions, more than twice the $150,000 it had promised by this point last year. | As of early May, the New York Abortion Access Fund had pledged about $350,000 this year to people seeking abortions, more than twice the $150,000 it had promised by this point last year. |
| Ms. Diggs and Karla Salguero, two of the fund’s board members, said it is too soon to tell whether last week’s leak of the draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe has directly translated into a surge of out-of-state interest. | |
| But they have seen a steady uptick in calls in recent months from outside New York, especially from the South. | But they have seen a steady uptick in calls in recent months from outside New York, especially from the South. |
| Last September, Texas passed a law effectively banning abortion in the state, kicking off the most recent wave of restrictions across the country. In the eight months since, the fund has helped 28 callers from Texas, compared with just five callers in the previous eight-month period. | Last September, Texas passed a law effectively banning abortion in the state, kicking off the most recent wave of restrictions across the country. In the eight months since, the fund has helped 28 callers from Texas, compared with just five callers in the previous eight-month period. |
| Patients who contact the Brigid Alliance, a group based in New York that assists with logistical costs, usually travel about 1,000 miles to get care, said Odile Schalit, the group’s executive director, and their needs typically amount to about $1,000. | Patients who contact the Brigid Alliance, a group based in New York that assists with logistical costs, usually travel about 1,000 miles to get care, said Odile Schalit, the group’s executive director, and their needs typically amount to about $1,000. |
| When the Brigid Alliance began in 2018, the organization helped about 20 patients a month, Ms. Schalit said. Now, it supports as many as 125 monthly. | When the Brigid Alliance began in 2018, the organization helped about 20 patients a month, Ms. Schalit said. Now, it supports as many as 125 monthly. |
| “We are expecting that the number of people who need to travel to New York or states like New York is going to grow,” Ms. Schalit said. “We’re expecting a dramatic increase, no question.” | “We are expecting that the number of people who need to travel to New York or states like New York is going to grow,” Ms. Schalit said. “We’re expecting a dramatic increase, no question.” |
| For Representative Gwen Moore, a Wisconsin Democrat representing Milwaukee, securing a safe abortion in New York in 1972 would never have been possible without the help of an abortion fund based in Wisconsin. | For Representative Gwen Moore, a Wisconsin Democrat representing Milwaukee, securing a safe abortion in New York in 1972 would never have been possible without the help of an abortion fund based in Wisconsin. |
| “I had no money,” Ms. Moore said. “I tremble to think about what could have happened.” | “I had no money,” Ms. Moore said. “I tremble to think about what could have happened.” |
| She was about 20 years old, she said, and studying at Marquette University. She already had one child, whom her family was helping her raise. | She was about 20 years old, she said, and studying at Marquette University. She already had one child, whom her family was helping her raise. |
| A second child would have forced her to drop out of school and would have stretched her family’s resources to the limit. But she couldn’t afford to travel to New York, let alone pay for an abortion. | A second child would have forced her to drop out of school and would have stretched her family’s resources to the limit. But she couldn’t afford to travel to New York, let alone pay for an abortion. |
| “What you hear people say,” Ms. Moore said, “Black and brown women are going to bear the brunt of not making abortion accessible — I was that person.” | “What you hear people say,” Ms. Moore said, “Black and brown women are going to bear the brunt of not making abortion accessible — I was that person.” |
| Ms. Moore happened to have befriended several women who were white and middle class, and had a phone number for an abortion fund in Madison. | Ms. Moore happened to have befriended several women who were white and middle class, and had a phone number for an abortion fund in Madison. |
| Within a few days, she was on a plane to New York, her first time traveling there. The abortion fund had arranged for someone to pick her up at the airport and take her to a clinic. | Within a few days, she was on a plane to New York, her first time traveling there. The abortion fund had arranged for someone to pick her up at the airport and take her to a clinic. |
| Hours later, she was headed home. All of the costs had been covered. | Hours later, she was headed home. All of the costs had been covered. |
| “I have had no regrets, not one day of regrets, for having terminated that pregnancy,” she said. “It was for me, my little girl and my future family, my two sons that I had. I did it for them.” | “I have had no regrets, not one day of regrets, for having terminated that pregnancy,” she said. “It was for me, my little girl and my future family, my two sons that I had. I did it for them.” |
| Ms. Meade was 22 in 1971 when she was raped by four men at gunpoint in Connecticut as she waited for a bus to visit friends in Boston. | Ms. Meade was 22 in 1971 when she was raped by four men at gunpoint in Connecticut as she waited for a bus to visit friends in Boston. |
| She said the assault began after the men pulled her into a car. Then they took her to a motel, where it continued. “It went on for a long time,” she said. | She said the assault began after the men pulled her into a car. Then they took her to a motel, where it continued. “It went on for a long time,” she said. |
| One of the men got her pregnant. She said it was well-known at the time that New York was the place to go for a safe and legal abortion, so her friends helped her scrape together money and drove her. | One of the men got her pregnant. She said it was well-known at the time that New York was the place to go for a safe and legal abortion, so her friends helped her scrape together money and drove her. |
| “When you come through a traumatic event, the last thing in the world you need is to have to drive to another state,” Ms. Meade said. | “When you come through a traumatic event, the last thing in the world you need is to have to drive to another state,” Ms. Meade said. |
| Merle Hoffman, 76, who founded one of the first abortion clinics in the country, Choices Women’s Medical Center in Queens, recalled the busy years before Roe was decided. | Merle Hoffman, 76, who founded one of the first abortion clinics in the country, Choices Women’s Medical Center in Queens, recalled the busy years before Roe was decided. |
| Representatives from Manhattan clinics would meet women seeking abortions at airports or bus stations, wearing lapel pins to identify themselves. At Ms. Hoffman’s clinic, the first patient, in 1971, was from New Jersey, where abortions were illegal. | Representatives from Manhattan clinics would meet women seeking abortions at airports or bus stations, wearing lapel pins to identify themselves. At Ms. Hoffman’s clinic, the first patient, in 1971, was from New Jersey, where abortions were illegal. |
| Ms. Hoffman said that in the past six or seven years, as more states have moved to restrict the procedure, the clinic has revived its program to help out-of-town patients. | Ms. Hoffman said that in the past six or seven years, as more states have moved to restrict the procedure, the clinic has revived its program to help out-of-town patients. |
| If the Supreme Court strikes down Roe, she expects demand to surge. | If the Supreme Court strikes down Roe, she expects demand to surge. |
| She said her clinic, which sees up to 40,000 patients per year, about half of whom need abortions, will continue to work closely with abortion funds to pay for the procedures, travel and lodging. | She said her clinic, which sees up to 40,000 patients per year, about half of whom need abortions, will continue to work closely with abortion funds to pay for the procedures, travel and lodging. |
| “I don’t care how many bans they put in place,” she said. “We’re standing here.” | “I don’t care how many bans they put in place,” she said. “We’re standing here.” |
| Sharon Otterman, Grace Ashford and Karen Zraick contributed reporting. | Sharon Otterman, Grace Ashford and Karen Zraick contributed reporting. |