PHOENIX — As the Arizona Supreme Court weighs the oral arguments heard in court Tuesday on whether or not to further restrict access to abortion services, currently a 15-week ban on abortion is in effect in Arizona.
Latest statistics from the Arizona State Health Department in 2021 show 94% of abortions in Arizona happen in the first 15 weeks.
Eloisa Lopez with the Abortion Fund of Arizona said since Roe vs. Wade was overturned in 2022, the two laws on Arizona's books have caused confusion.
"I think we need clear direction from our state leadership, right, on what is true in terms of accessing abortion care," Lopez said.
The Abortion Fund of Arizona has seen an increase in the number of people they're helping seek abortions. Lopez notes that people have to travel to either Phoenix or Tucson or out-of-state for services.
"Just this year alone in 2023, we've been supporting over 800 patients. The need has just significantly increased as people are aware that abortion funds exist," Lopez said.
Last year, after the Dobbs decision, Choices Pregnancy Center, whose medical director is part of the case before the Arizona Supreme Court, told 12News they too had an increase in demand for their services and planned to expand operations.
"Demand continues to increase and as such a time as this, we are here to serve," Josh Chumley, Chief Advancement Officer at Choices Arizona, told 12News last year.
Dr. Eric Hazelrigg, the medical director of Choices said after court Tuesday there are dozens of other centers also available to provide care and resources.
"We don’t perform or refer for abortions but instead provide a safe place to talk, explore options, seek medical services, receive resources and hear about the hope available to all of us for a better life," Hazelrigg said.
So far, the Arizona Department of Health Services has not released statistics on abortion in Arizona in 2022, but those statistics are expected before the end of the year.
The latest data from 2021 also shows that nearly half of abortions were non-surgical, meaning women in Arizona use some combination of three pills to end their pregnancy.