BOISE, Idaho — The nationwide divide over abortion rages on, with conversations and court cases continuing.
Underground groups providing resources and support have emerged in response to Idaho's abortion laws. The Gem State bans abortion with some exceptions: when the pregnancy threatens the life of a mother, or in cases of rape or incest proven by law.
In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson (Mississippi) Women's Health decision, a network of abortion support groups have sprouted, including Idaho Abortion Rights, a collective of people using discreet texting apps to provide counselling and resources.
"The primary intention was to be able to get people access to birth control and prevention of pregnancy," Idaho Abortion Rights co-founder Kimra Luna said. "One of the reasons why we provide this service is because we are non-medical. Currently, the laws are very strict towards medical staff, so doctors and nurses really don't have the ability to give people the same list of options and resources that we are able to provide."
Luna, a doula and pro-abortion rights advocate, considers their work to be peer-to-peer support, especially for those who can't travel outside the state.
"It's just one of those things where we want to make sure that people know that you don't have to leave the state in order to get access to abortion," Luna said. "There may be some gray, fuzzy areas there because technically in the laws, it doesn't say that a person can't order abortion pills online."
One local "life-affirming" clinic questions the coalition, and instead urges for screenings or exams before a decision is made.
"My question is, if they truly care about women's health care, are they thinking about all of the things that can come of an abortion if there's not some screening beforehand?" said Samantha Doty, a physician assistant and director of clinical services for Stanton Healthcare.
Stanton Healthcare is a clinic that describes their work as "life-affirming care." Doty said comprehensive care is crucial, such as through screenings to determine how far along someone is in their pregnancy.
"An ultrasound is so important to confirm that the baby is within the uterus," Doty said.
The clinic advocates for other options, such as adoption. They said time is needed to weigh options during pregnancy, and in-person clinic visits offer better screening to make sure nobody is being coerced into an abortion.
"Women that are just jumping to an abortion are not necessarily considering all of the options because their mind is racing, they're in crisis mode," Doty said. "So, what we do here is have the patient sit down and just tell them, there's no rush, like, take your time, make this decision with all of the information."
Idaho Abortion Rights refers people to medical professionals, and other resources such as the The Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline.
"People need procedures that have to be in hospital, so there are certain abortions that must be at a hospital, that must be at a clinic," Luna said. "Abortion pills are amazing, but they're not the end-all be-all, there are some situations where a clinic is necessary for an abortion."
Luna said even if abortion laws were to be more strict, collectives like theirs are not going away.
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