When it comes to abortions, High Plains residents must travel farther than almost any other US citizens, reports the New York Times. Amarillo residents must travel 234 miles to the nearest clinic. Many denizens of the Oklahoma Panhandle and Western Kansas must likewise travel over 200 miles to have the service performed. The national average outside Texas is 59 miles.
The situation in Texas is a result of a 2012 case that resulted in Texas closing most of its abortion clinics. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the case soon. The average Texas county is now 111 miles from the nearest clinic, up from 72 miles in 2012. Texas now holds just 17 abortion clinics, down from 41 in 2012.
