The right to have an abortion was codified into state law in 2019. With the news that the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, would likely overturn Roe. v. Wade, states that protect access to an abortion are expecting to host people from other states that do not.

Dr. Gillian Dean, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, said some of the services it provides for out of state patients is expected to expand in the coming months.

"We knew, unfortunately, that we were headed in this direction, so, yes, we are preparing to see not only the New Yorkers that we are here to serve, but people from throughout the country," Dean said.

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York runs 23 health centers that serve 65% of New York state.

Dean said in the last few months, as more states have passed restrictive abortion laws, New York’s locations had to make a plan on how to meet a growing demand of people coming from outside of the state to have abortions.

"One of the things that we are setting up right away is appointment scheduling for abortion through our online service so that anyone, no matter where they are, as long as they have a phone, a tablet or a computer, can schedule an abortion appointment," said Dean.

In recent months, Dean says the number of out-of-state patients they see has increased.

"We have always served patients from all 50 states," said Dean. "We are seeing more and more of that. In the last year, we saw hundreds of patients coming to Planned Parenthood of Greater New York from out of state, and we anticipate seeing more in the months and years to come."

They’re anticipating an uptick in patients from out of state coming to several of their upstate health centers like in the Finger Lakes region because of their proximity to states in the Midwest that are poised to restrict abortion access if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

"We are preparing to see more patients coming to us through Ohio and Pennsylvania," said Dean. "If Roe should fall as we anticipate that it will, we know that Pennsylvania may be seeing a volume of abortions that they're not able to meet."

While the organization offered online scheduling for other services like reproductive health services in the past, Planned Parenthood representatives said allowing patients to schedule abortion services online will make it easier for women who need help.

They’re also increasing the number of appointment slots for abortions at their centers.

"We are poised to add walk-in and next-day appointments for abortion, whether it’s a medication abortion or an abortion in person," Dean said.

Planned Parenthood is also expanding the number of health care providers on staff who can perform abortions to include nurse practitioners and PAs.

The financial implications of traveling from out of state can make the trip difficult. So Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is connecting them with a place to stay, or funding for lodging and transportation.

"We are connecting them with nurses who can help navigate them coming to New York City for an abortion. It's more than just scheduling an appointment," Dean said.