SEATTLE — Abortion providers in Washington say they've seen patients from 20 states since the Dobbs decision that took away a woman's right to have the procedure two years ago.
They've come from as far as Texas and Alabama. At least one of them took a seven-hour airplane voyage.
At the same time, doctors are fleeing states where abortions are effectively banned -- worsening the health care situations there.
"It truly sends chills down my spine," said Dr. Liz Harrington of UW Medicine.
Abortion care providers gathered with with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Monday, calling for a federal law establishing a woman's right to an abortion.
They told horror stories of those who've had that right ripped away.
"One survivor shared her experience of being sexually assaulted by two men at a frat party in Idaho, where she got pregnant and was unable to terminate the pregnancy. She was denied Plan B and when she reported the rape, she ultimately had to have her baby and give it up for adoption," said Em Stone of the Washington State Domestic Violence Coalition.
Since Dobbs, the number of abortions performed in Washington surged by 18%.
Many of those patients came from out of state. Out-of-state abortions rose 36% in 2023.
The number of patients from neighboring Idaho - which criminalizes abortion -- climbed 56%.
"I would argue that it's not sustainable for half of the country to be providing care for the other half of the country," said Grayson Dempsey, director of public affairs at the Lilith Clinic.
"It has a significant strain on our resources in this state, people's time, clinic visits, hospital beds, etc.," added Harrington.
"I've had patients who have traveled across state lines with their children, not telling their families for fear it could lead to some sort of criminality for their family members," said Registered Nurse Jacquiline Blanco.
Nationwide, 171,000 women traveled out of state for an abortion in 2023.
Gov. Jay Inslee has earmarked $15 million to help alleviate the pressure on the state's abortion services.
This, as wait times for Washington women seeking abortions are climbing. Some report being delayed up a month.
In Idaho, the state has lost 22% of its OBGYNs -- creating health care deserts and endangering women and the unborn babies anti-abortion politicians say they are trying to protect.
"Women will lose out on access to reproductive care," said Sen. Cantwell. "That's something that may actually help them keep a pregnancy if they just got the right care."
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on Idaho's strict abortion ban by Wednesday, which will likely have a ripple effect in Washington.