King County takes steps to prepare for anticipated spike in abortion services

In the wake of the US Supreme Court striking down abortion protections, King County is anticipating an influx of patients from out of state. Here’s how officials are preparing for the surge.

The County Council approved half a million dollars for the Northwest Abortion Access Fund. The nonprofit will help pay for transportation, lodging, and abortion services. It says it’s already received calls from out of state since the court ruling.

Council member Reagan Dunn was the sole "no" vote.

“I don’t believe King County taxpayers should be on the hook for paying for these services when they’re used to help residents outside of King County and Washington state,” Dunn said.

More than 20 states have imposed restrictions or banned abortion services. While Washington opens its doors to out-of-state patients, there are concerns of clinics going over capacity, causing King County residents in need of abortions to experience delays.

Council member Claudia Balducci says the funds are a short-term response.

"But we’re going to have to be thinking about our long-term strategy more diligently and deliberatively than we can here today,” she added.

In a separate move, County Executive Dow Constantine signed an executive order preventing the Sheriff’s Office from cooperating with out-of-state investigations of people seeking abortions here.