Planned Parenthood of Illinois reports spike in abortion patients since Roe v. Wade was overturned

June 14, 2023 | By Kaitlin Washburn, Chicago Sun-Times

Planned Parenthood of Illinois President and CEO Jennifer Welch speaks during a news conference in response to the Supreme Court rolling back Roe v. Wade in its decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization’s case at Planned Parenthood of Illinois’ headquarters in the Loop, Friday afternoon, June 24, 2022.Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

The number of patients seeking abortions from Planned Parenthood of Illinois increased dramatically since last June after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The amount of patients seeking both medication and procedure abortions rose 54% in the last year, Planned Parenthood reported Monday. Patients needing financial and travel help also more than doubled in that period.

“The Supreme Court stripped away a fundamental right, causing devastating consequences for our patients, especially those forced to travel for care,” Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said in a news release about the data.

Their numbers also show that more patients are seeking abortions later in their pregnancies than before the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. The Supreme Court ruled in the case that abortions are not protected by federal law and returned that power to the states, overruling both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

Planned Parenthood also reported that abortions over the 16-week gestational age make up 13% of all procedural abortions, compared with 8% before the Dobbs decision.

Welch, in an interview with the Sun-Times, said Planned Parenthood of Illinois anticipated the Supreme Court’s decision and prepared to meet the surge in patients.