Planned Parenthood unveils expanded Champaign center for abortion services

Planned Parenthood of Illinois on Tuesday unveiled its expanded Champaign Health Center, part of an effort to respond to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The health center will now offer in-clinic abortion services in addition to the medication abortion services already offered.

The expansion will double in-clinic abortion access in central Illinois and prepare the center for those seeking abortions from states that have restricted the procedure.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois now offers in-clinic abortion services at seven of its centers across the state. All centers offer medication abortion services, as well as testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, cancer screening and birth control, among other services.

The group anticipates seeing an additional 20,000 to 30,000 abortion patients annually, said CEO Jennifer Welch. This is partially due to Illinois’ location in the center of the country, but also the various abortion bans in surrounding states.

“We know that abortion bans don’t stop people from getting abortions,” Welch said. “They just make it harder for people to get the care they need. And we also know that this disproportionately impacts patients who already face the most barriers to care.”

Indiana’s near-total abortion ban initially went into effect in September, but the Indiana Supreme Court ruled on Oct. 12 that the state can’t enforce it while they determine its constitutionality, allowing abortion services to continue.

While the Indiana ban was in effect, the number of patients from that state seen by the Champaign Health Center increased by 40 percent compared to last year, with 11 percent of total patients seen by the center traveling from Indiana.

“Illinois has seen firsthand the devastating impact abortion laws have on patients who have to flee their communities to get care, and some who have to carry their pregnancies against their will,” said Dr. Amy Whitaker, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of Illinois. “But by expanding our access to care here in Champaign, we are making a difference for both our patients and providers.”

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the center has treated patients from 11 different states.

Welch said they will continue to expand treatment options for both Illinois residents and people from out of state.

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