As CLT becomes surge point for abortion access, some women fear Trump will restrict it even further if re-elected
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — North Carolina has the loosest abortion restrictions in the southeast region, where women can get a procedure up to 12 weeks into pregnancy and, in some extreme cases, 24 weeks.
Providers say dozens of women travel from out of state to Charlotte to get care every day. Some women fear a new presidential administration could make it even harder to get reproductive care throughout the country.
Women from Louisiana and Texas traveled to North Carolina Wednesday to stand alongside local leaders to share their stories of how abortion bans impacted their lives at a Joe Biden-Kamala Harris campaign event.
“I realized I was having a miscarriage, but because of [Louisiana’s] abortion ban, that healthcare team was afraid to tell me what was happening,” Kaitlyn Joshua, a Louisiana resident, said. “They sent me home with prayers.”
The majority of US states have restricted abortion access since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
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North Carolina is the only southeastern state that allows abortions up to 12 weeks with at least two in person consultations before the procedure. The law was changed by a majority Republican state legislature in 2023 that overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto. There are exceptions for certain medical emergencies.
“We know that in our own city, there has been an increase in demand as southern states implement more restrictive laws,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. “The recent decision by the Florida Supreme Court will no doubt increase the number of patients that need this care.”
Arizona Supreme Court upheld a near-total abortion ban with minimal restrictions except for life-threatening circumstances. While former President Trump was in office he nominated the justices who later overturned Roe.
In a statement Wednesday, Trump said Arizona’s ban goes too far. Trump recorded a campaign video earlier this week where he said he was “proud” to have overturned Roe vs. Wade because he believes abortion rights are a state issue.
“Many states will be different, many states will have a different number of weeks,” Trump said. “At the end of the day, it’s about the will of the people.”
Data from Guttmacher reveals the number of abortions provided to patients from out of state. In North Carolina, 35% of the nearly 16,000 abortion patients in 2023 were from out of state.
“There are 14 clinics in this state,” Calla Hales Executive Director at Preferred Women’s Health Center said. “We are all packed, clinics have already had to expand our access because now instead of seeing a patient once we have to see them twice to be utterly blunt, I don’t know how we will expand.”
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Some women fear access to abortion will shrink even further if Trump is reelected as president.
“It is unthinkable to me that anyone could cheer on the cruel abortion bans that nearly killed me but he does,” Amanda Zurawski Texas resident said.
Starting May 1st, Florida will restrict abortions after 6 weeks. Providers are concerned that the 14 clinics in the North Carolina state will be even more overwhelmed with women coming from Florida who need care.
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