Let's go now to Rachel Scott who's been tracking the rapidly developing situation state by state where abortion bans and restrictions are already coming into effect. Rachel joins us from St. Louis, Missouri this morning. Good morning.
Amy, good morning. And that impact was immediate. This was the only clinic in the entire state of Missouri providing abortions within minutes of the Supreme Court's decision. It stopped completely leaving women in this state scrambling for options.
This morning, states across the country are racing to restrict access to abortion. The United States Supreme Court has in fact overruled Roe versus Wade, thereby restoring the state of Arkansas the authority to prohibit abortions. In the last 72 hours, at least eight states have enforced abortion bans, including right here in Missouri, where there are no exceptions for rape or incest.
Years ago they said no. They told us it was over. They told us to shut up and live with the killing of children.
You all didn't give up, did you? You didn't give up. Women here will now have to travel across state lines.
What it looks like practically for them is hundreds of miles, bus trips and airplane tickets. It's navigating now multiple days off of work. figuring out how to pay not only for the care, but for the logistics. For some, that won't be an option.
Studies show 49% of abortion patients have an income below the poverty line. In Louisiana, where the maternal mortality rate is one of the worst in the nation, especially among Black women, advocates say they are receiving a flood of calls. If you have a job where you're being paid hourly and you're being paid minimum wage, how easy would it be?
for you to be able to leave your job or existing kids to have an abortion and then come back. It wouldn't work for them. It just wouldn't work. It's not practical for their lives, the lives that they're living.
Three other states, Arizona, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, waiting on state officials to give further guidance, but for now, stopping abortions altogether. Most abortions are performed by medication. Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signaled she wants to crack down on pills prescribed online. I don't believe that telemedicine abortions are safe for individuals, for women to conduct at home.
So this morning, Democratic governors are banding together to expand access to abortion because that is the new reality for women in states like Missouri. If they want an abortion... They will have to travel to a state where it is legal in order to get one. And I can tell you that nearby clinics in states like Illinois, they are expecting a flood of patients this morning, Amy.
All right, Rachel Scott, we appreciate it. Thank you. Hi, everyone.
George Stephanopoulos here. Thanks for checking out the ABC News YouTube channel. If you'd like to get more videos, show highlights, and watch live event coverage, click on the right over here to subscribe to our channel.
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