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Planned Parenthood expands abortion access as Florida judge’s decision on 15-week ban looms

ORLANDO, Fla. — More demonstrators rallied outside Orlando’s city hall Tuesday against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

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These protests come as Florida waits to see if a judge will block the new law stopping abortions after 15 weeks.

Clinics are already preparing for long days this week for those who are worried not only about the ruling, but also what could come next to limit care.

Planned Parenthood told Channel 9 they are in the process of hiring several doctors from other states who have offered to fly in several times a month to provide abortion care, and many of their states have an all-out ban.

READ: Central Florida reacts to the overturning of Roe v. Wade

Patients from other states are coming in from as far away as Texas, but many of them have come from Georgia.

In a statement to Channel 9, Planned Parenthood said, “To meet the need, we are expanding abortion access by increasing appointments, adding additional medical staff and doubling up on providers.”

The agency also said it is expanding telehealth options and family planning services, like birth control visits.

READ: Roe v. Wade overturned: What does it mean for Florida?

Planned Parenthood said patients are worried about their ability to access birth control will be taken away. They’re asking for birth control methods like IUDs because they can prevent pregnancy for five to 10 years.

The next big step will come Friday, when a judge decides whether or not to block Florida’s law banning abortions after 15 weeks.

READ: Security remains ramped up outside U.S. Supreme Court following Roe v. Wade reversal

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Shannon Butler

Shannon Butler, WFTV.com

Shannon joined the Eyewitness News team in 2013.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.