Wisconsin women are increasingly taking proactive steps to secure their reproductive health services amid concerns about potential restrictions under a second term of President-elect Donald Trump. Health care providers in the state report a surge in demand for birth control and other reproductive health services as women worry about future limitations.
Tanya Atkinson, president of Planned Parenthood Wisconsin, highlighted fears that conservative policies under Trump could restrict access to not just abortion, but also birth control, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and gender-affirming hormone therapy. These concerns are fueling increased interest in long-acting, reversible contraceptives LARCs like IUDs.
Jenny Higgins, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, pointed out that while the political landscape may shift, the provision of reproductive care remains a priority. However, the potential changes to access to birth control and the broader scope of reproductive health care are top of mind.
During the election period, Planned Parenthood saw a notable increase in calls and appointments, with many patients seeking to stock up on birth control or explore alternative contraceptive methods. Health departments are also preparing for increased demand for these services in the months ahead.
Moreover, restrictions on federal funding for family planning under Trump’s previous administration and the state’s Title X program are raising alarms. The 2018 law that diverted funds from Planned Parenthood and other providers led to an 80% drop in patients served by Title X between 2018 and 2020, creating gaps in accessible care.
As uncertainty looms, some women, like Annika from Madison, are considering long-term contraceptive options like IUDs, motivated by the fear of losing access to birth control altogether. Despite these concerns, Planned Parenthood remains committed to providing reproductive health services across Wisconsin.