Oregon clinics see rise in long-term birth control demand
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Several Oregon clinics and hospital systems are seeing a flood of patients seeking long-term birth control — such as IUD replacements, backup contraception and abortion pills — before a new Trump administration takes office.
Why it matters: Protections for abortion and gender-affirming care are enshrined in Oregon law, but officials warn the state is not immune from potential federal restrictions under a Republican-controlled Congress.
The big picture: Reproductive rights advocates told Axios they expect the next administration will regulate a medication used for abortion by applying a 19th-century anti-obscenity law known as the Comstock Act to prevent mailing or transporting certain items across state lines.
- Congress could also attempt to pass a national abortion ban, which would overrule protections in 21 states, including Oregon.
- Republicans' plans to overhaul Medicaid eligibility for patients could also erode access to contraceptives for millions of reproductive age.
State of play: Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette has seen "a sharp increase in appointments" for IUDs, shots and implants, which can remain in the body for three to 10 years, as well as vasectomies over the last month.
- That's similar to what the organization saw when Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago, spokesperson Samantha West told Axios.
- The Oregon Health Authority recently secured a new supply of mifepristone, an FDA-approved medication used for abortion.
- Now, the state's 16,500-dose stockpile has an expiration date of September 2028, per spokesperson Erica Heartquist.
Meanwhile, health care providers in Oregon are still grappling with the surge in demand for OB-GYN services and training after the Dobbs decision and expect the need will only grow in the new year.
- For example, since June 2022, providers at Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette's eight clinics have seen a 50% increase in abortion services, largely driven by traveling patients who live in neighboring states with bans.
- Plus: Oregon Health & Science University recently launched an abortion training program to "bridge the gap" in education for medical residents who don't have access to clinical experience in their home state.
Reality check: Trump's rhetoric on abortion rights has shifted often.
- He has boasted about overturning Roe v. Wade and signaled support for banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but he also has said abortion policy should be left to the states.
The bottom line: Updates to Oregon law in recent years — which have ensured no-restriction access to abortion and gender-affirming care, while shielding doctors working with out-of-state abortion patients — will remain in place as the Trump administration enters office.