This week marks four years since the U.S. Supreme Court effectively overturned Roe vs. Wade in a landmark ruling, ending the federal constitutional right to an abortion.
The 5-4 historic ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization determined that the Constitution does not explicitly protect abortion rights, returning the authority to regulate or ban the procedure entirely to individual states.
Minnesota still has a law protecting women's reproductive rights, but it isn't the same in every state including in nearby North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Tammy Kromenaker is Director for Red River Clinic, and she moved her business to Minnesota from North Dakota as the ruling was coming down.
"It took us a month and a half, but we were able to start seeing patients in Minnesota in August of 2022," Kromenaker says. "We did not miss a single day of patient care, and 70% of the patients that we see in our Moorhead clinic are traveling from North Dakota."
She says women are still afraid, but says many have found some relief in Minnesota.
"They do see Minnesota as a place where they can feel safe. They routinely hear from Attorney General Ellison that he will protect our patient records. All of those things matter," she adds.
Kromenaker says they see 10 to 15% more patients now compared to when they were located in Fargo. But they also see patients from much farther away.
"The first few patients, for example, from Texas, a patient, she didn't tell us she was from Texas, it slipped out partway through her appointment," Kromenaker explains. "And she quickly said, 'oh my gosh, are you gonna have to report me?' So there's definite fear about saying where they're from, but they know that Minnesota is a safe place."
Decision creates a situation where women seeking an abortion had to travel to states where it's still legal, including Minnesota
Decision creates a situation where women seeking an abortion had to travel to states where it's still legal, including Minnesota
