BEND, OR -- Stricter abortion laws are set to take effect in Idaho Thursday, and Planned Parenthood expects an influx of patients at its Oregon clinics, especially in Bend. Late Wednesday, a federal judge ruled the state could not enforce the law in cases deemed medical emergencies.

At a Wednesday morning press conference in Portland, Planned Parenthood of Oregon Executive Director An Do (pictured) said Idaho’s ban on abortion has limited exceptions, "The ban is devastatingly cruel. It is just the latest in a series of states to ban abortion, proving that the overturning of Roe v. Wade was just the beginning." Do says the organization expects a 234% increase in out-of-state patients.

Montana Pindell is a patient navigator for Planned Parenthood. She tells KBND News those patients are already seeking care in Bend, which is the only Oregon clinic east of the Cascades. "With the Idaho ban going into effect, we’ve had patients that have taken taxi rides from Idaho to get to our Bend health center that was a five hour ride that cost this person $1200; that’s what they reported." She believes eastern Oregonian women will also be impacted, "Because where they live in Oregon is closer to Idaho, they’ll still have to drive three to five hours to get to our Bend health center." Pindell adds, the ban will also impact local patients, as out of state women claim a finite number of appointments.

Do told reporters Wednesday, "Already in Idaho, lawmakers have said they plan to bring forward bans on emergency contraception and IUDs. The fight is only the beginning." She vowed to continue offering services in Oregon to any woman who seeks care.