Abortion in Minnesota

Iowa's new law, effective July 29, bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, significantly reducing access from the previous limit of 20 weeks. Minnesota officials, including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, are preparing to accommodate an influx of patients from Iowa, as abortion providers in Minnesota expect increased demand due to Iowa's restrictive legislation. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, emphasized the ripple effects of this law, predicting it will worsen health inequities and impact women in the Midwest and South. Meanwhile, neighboring states like Illinois are also bracing for a surge in abortion requests, with a reported 165% increase in inquiries from Iowa residents. Organizations such as Planned Parenthood are expanding their services to assist patients seeking care out-of-state, while clinics in Iowa aim to help patients navigate travel logistics for necessary procedures. The new law is anticipated to drastically reduce abortion services in Iowa, with projections indicating a 97% drop in procedures.