OHIO, USA —
New information from the Ohio Department of Health shows that in 2023 nearly 13% of abortions in Ohio were performed on out-of-state patients.
Out of the 22,000 abortions in Ohio last year, 2,771 were for women traveling from other states.
That's more than double the number from 2022.
"It doesn't surprise me at all," Dr. David Burkons, owner and medical director of the Toledo Women's Center said.
He said most women travel from Indiana, where abortion is illegal unless there are fetal abnormalities, if the mother's life is at risk, or in cases of rape and incest, up to 10 weeks.
Recently, though, women have been coming from even further.
"We've seen several recently from Texas, who usually come up, they usually have friends or family in the area to stay, come, have their abortion and go back," Burkons said.
He said about 10-15% of his patients in Toledo are from out of state.
Even though they're accessing the procedure here, Dr. Burkons said patients still face concerns back home.
"Certainly in places like Texas particularly, they're also, in the back of their mind, they're worrying about if they're going to get prosecuted for obtaining an abortion."
He said it's not just women from far corners of the country making treks to Toledo.
The Women's Center is one of only nine clinics in the entire state offering abortions.
Out of all the abortions performed in Ohio, Lucas County made up 3.6% of them last year, according to ODH.
"We have people all the time that have to drive an hour-and-a-half, two hours to get to us," Burkons said. "So it's not that easy within the state of Ohio."
WTOL 11 reached out to Foundation for Life. The organization was not available for an interview, but executive director Ed Sitter provided the following statement:
Seeing nearly a doubling in 2023 of out-of-state women seeking abortions is a sad distinction for Ohio. Now more than ever, we need laws to protect women and ensure they receive the highest health and safety standards when undergoing an abortion procedure. Women deserve time to think before making this irrevocable decision. They need a 24-hour waiting period to reflect and know all their options. We in the prolife community want women to feel empowered to choose life for their innocent preborn daughter or son.