Do you think reproductive health care is widely accessible to most women in the valley?

The Glenwood Spring Health Center is the only Planned Parenthood west of the Denver area in mid-Utah. We serve a wide geographic region, not only the Roaring Fork Valley. We are proud to offer comprehensive reproductive health care and that includes abortion care.

Health disparities that impact too many people, and the Roaring Fork Valley is not immune to that. Many patients that we serve lack any form of insurance, indicating that patients can’t afford, or don’t qualify for coverage.

Do you notice any disparities between abortion/reproductive health care access for women in the valley? (whether that is in terms of class, race, etc.)

• Only some many providers accept Medicaid
• Over 30% of the patients we serve speak only Spanish.
• We care for all patients, and every patient is offered financial support if needed.

What is the most common demographic make-up for women seeking abortion access in the valley?

1 in 3 people will have an abortion in their lifetime, of all backgrounds. Abortion is a very common part of health care.

What is one of the most difficult discussions you have had on the topic of abortion rights?

I have had the honor of working with PPRM for 20 years. Supporting patient access and advocating for my team is of the utmost importance to me. Nothing compares to what is happening right now in Texas, Oklahoma, and at the U.S. Supreme Court. This is the most difficult. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to be a person in Texas needing and abortion, and what it will soon be for so many more people across our country. 

How are you feeling regarding the recent leaked SCOTUS opinion regarding the overturn of Roe?

I am outraged and saddened that instead of progress, we are going back. I am proud to be an abortion provider and I will continue to do whatever we need to help our patients get the care they need.   I worry about the folx that won’t get the care they need.

If Roe is overturned, how do you foresee the consequences will impact the valley/our local community?

• Colorado is a safe haven state. We expect a surge in patient volume, we have already seen this since SB8 in Texas.
• We already see patients from other states because of restricting laws
• We are expanding Telehealth care and examining our processes to accommodate a higher patient volume.

How do you foresee the decision impacting Colorado as a whole? It seems that our legislators will move to safeguard abortion access, but could the upcoming mid-term election potentially alter that outcome? And how do you forsee the restrictive access to abortion in neighboring states, such as New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona, will impact the avaliablilites of clinics in CO?

Our health center is already seeing patients from our neighboring states. The unfortunate reality is that people are being forced out of their communities, must wait longer times, and travel further and further distances to access abortion care.

What do you forsee the direction of the abortions rights movement moving towards in the future? Is there hope?

The majority of people in our country support abortion access.

Lastly, how can we (especially the younger generation and as a community), help protect abortion rights and the access to safe health care for women?

1. Vote
2. Listen to people’s stories, tell yours, and keeping talking about health equity that includes abortion care
3. Support the organizations that are advocating for reproductive rights and justice