abortion access

The number of abortions performed in New Mexico has more than tripled since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. That’s according to a new study that says interstate travel across the country continues to grow for the procedure.New Mexico has seen one of the most dramatic increases in abortion care in the country because of demand from out-of-state patients.

The fault line was exposed this week. On Monday, Lubbock County officials rushed to approve the ordinance, being pushed by the same organizers behind the “sanctuary city” movement that predated the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. But on Tuesday, the Amarillo City Council took a deep breath and said they would not follow other local governing bodies in approving the ban.

Lubbock is now the fourth, and largest, county to pass the ordinance which would punish people through civil lawsuits for aiding pregnant women seeking abortions outside of Texas.

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, more people are coming to New Mexico for abortions and lawmakers passed a bill to ensure access. But counties and local governments have passed ordinances to restrict abortion and at least one is suing to overturn that state law. On the next Let’s Talk New Mexico we get an update on all this.

Advisory committee preps for out of state patients, expects support for locals ‘We also need to prioritize our folks’ care here in our large, rural state’

It is the latest in a series of legal actions over access to abortion in New Mexico, although the procedure remains legal here and a new law prevents municipalities interfering in reproductive care.

New Mexico has seen significant movement on protecting reproductive healthcare and access to abortion. Still the town of Edgewood is considering an ordinance that would likely violate state law and court rulings.

The court has agreed to hear the argument made by the Attorney General that counties and cities acted unlawfully when they passed ordinances citing a 19th century federal law.

Following an hours-long debate, the New Mexico House passed a bill to protect those who provide or seek abortions or gender-affirming care in the state. the measure would enshrine into law safeguards for out-of-state patients and clinicians issued by executive order after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

House Bill 7, sponsored by five Democratic legislators, passed the House on Tuesday night after about three hours of debate.