The battle over abortion rights in Louisiana
has been in full swing ever since the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 decision to overturn Roe
v. Wade removed federal protections over abortion rights.
Louisiana is one of 13 states that had a trigger
law banning abortions immediately following
the Supreme Court’s decision. After an initial
legal battle, the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld the trigger law on Aug. 12.
The state’s three clinics: The Delta Clinic located in Baton Rouge, Hope Medical Group for
Women located in Shreveport and Women’s
Health Care Center in New Orleans are searching for a new location outside of the state.
The nearest states that provide unrestricted
access to abortions are New Mexico, Colorado
and Illinois.
“We are now exploring relocation options and
welcoming public financial support so that we
may continue to provide quality, accessible
care,” Hope Medical Group Medical Director
Kathaleen Pittman said. “We are determined
to continue to provide abortion care wherever
that takes us.”
Abortion rights activists are seeking to help
with a smooth relocation. A GoFundMe page
has been set up to help with the cost of relocating. Currently the page has raised nearly $9,000
with a goal of $100,000 set.
On the other side of the aisle, anti-abortion
groups commented on the news that Louisiana
will be without an abortion clinic for the first
time since 1974.
Benjamin Clapper, the executive director of
Louisiana Right to Life said,
“As they depart, numerous other Louisiana
public and private agencies will remain open
to offer help to women and families both before
and after birth. As these abortion facilities relocate, we are dedicated to helping other states in
the Gulf Coast and across America defend life.”