Phoenix, Arizona — Camelback Family Planning in Phoenix stands as the busiest abortion clinic in Arizona, with around 350 patients seeking services every month.
However, the recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling has sparked concerns for the clinic's founder, Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick. The ruling paves the way for the reinstatement of an 1864 law that would effectively ban almost all abortions in the state.
Currently, abortions are legal in Arizona up to 15 weeks. The 1864 law, if reinstated, would prohibit all abortions except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk, with no exceptions for instances of rape or incest.
"We offer a crucial healthcare service to the people of Arizona," Goodrick expressed to CBS News. "If we are unable to continue providing this service, our patients will be at risk."
Efforts to challenge the revived law in the Arizona State Legislature on Wednesday were blocked by Republican lawmakers.
Republicans in Arizona are criticizing the push by Democrats to include a right to abortion in the state constitution, allowing abortions up until birth with minimal restrictions. House Speaker Ben Toma stated on Wednesday that rushing legislation on such a significant topic without thorough discussion is not the right approach.
Despite receiving criticism from both sides, including former President Donald Trump, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her readiness to repeal the 1864 ban on abortion.
In response to the court's ruling, the Biden campaign launched a substantial ad buy in Arizona focusing on abortion, with Vice President Kamala Harris scheduled to visit the state on Friday.
Arizona For Abortion Access, a group advocating for abortion rights, has collected enough signatures for a November ballot initiative that would permit abortions up to around 24 weeks. Nurse Ashleigh Feiring, involved in the initiative, emphasized the dangers of illegalizing abortions and pushing them underground.
Opponents of the initiative, like Joanna Delacruz from the It Goes Too Far campaign, argue that the proposed amendment would have catastrophic consequences for women and girls' health.
Recent statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that the majority of abortions, 95%, occur within the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. In contrast, only 1% of abortions take place at 21 weeks or later.
It remains uncertain when the 1864 law will come into effect. However, there are concerns that once it does, it will pose significant risks to women. Goodrick expressed apprehension about the potential consequences, stating, "It will harm a tremendous amount of Arizonans, and you know, it will be terrible."
