In light of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion on a federal level for almost a half a century, crisis centers have seen a mass influx of calls.
Choices Chattanooga is a local health group that serves over 1,000 clients. They've seen their calls double following the decision.
The group primarily serves women with unplanned pregnancies. They say the reversal won't impact their ability to provide women information about abortion services, but the radius for availability has doubled to a 200-mile abortion desert radius.
Additional options available for women moving forward will be foster and adoption services.
Choices provides referrals for several agencies and offers parenting classes up to 1-year-old children. Their clinic also carries donated baby clothes, diapers and baby formula.
The state says they currently have 5 remaining abortion clinics, the closest of which is in Knoxville.
Under the trigger law which goes into place 30 days after the supreme courts action, they can't provide abortions except in the case the mother's life is in danger.
An ultrasound is also required before the procedure, it cannot be covered by the affordable care act and it can't be paid for with public funds.
We're working to learn more. This story will be updated.