TRI-CITIES, Wash.–Planned Parenthood has seen an uptick of birth control appointments since the presidential election.
Sarah DeVlemming, Spokane Planned Parenthood healthcare manager, said patients seeking care are worried about the future of their health after seeing the results.
While patients may feel as though their future is on the line, DeVlemming said Planned Parenthood is there to help no matter what.
“All we’re doing is just reassuring people that we’re here to provide care and we can help them maintain and preserve their health care options, and bodily autonomy is what we’re focusing on,” she said.
The rise in appointments are usually for patients seeking long term reversible contraceptives such as the IUD and arm implants, but some are even scheduling appointments before they are due for a replacement, DeVlemming said.
“Some of these patients have expressed that they want to ensure they have a stable birth control option over the course of the next four years,” she said.
Emily Anderson, Planned Parenthood philanthropy director said alongside the concern about birth control after the election, clinics have seen an increase in concern from transgender patients who are looking to receive hormone therapy.
“Even before the election was called, we had patients who were just asking us what’s going to happen if Trump wins,” Anderson said. “It does seem like trans community members. Do have a target on their backs.”
Alongside hormone therapy treatment, Planned Parenthood can also refer a patient to receive gender affirming surgery but cannot perform the procedure at the clinic
Anderson said while patients are concerned for their health, she believes Washington has supportive leadership and Planned Parenthood is lucky to operate throughout the state.
“We’ve had a lot of cases in the last few years where Roe V. Wade gets overturned. People get instantly very confused,” she said. “But our service offerings have not changed and will not change in the immediate future. And that’s what we want people to know.”
DeVlemming said Planned Parenthood offers a variety of options for birth control such as the pill, patch and depo shots, and clinics are also providing free STI testing to encourage patients to get tested.
