MAINE, USA — Planned Parenthood of Northern New England says it's seeing a spike in appointments for certain contraceptive options in Maine.
It's something the organizations have seen before and there are some clues as to why it's happening.
"A similar trend occurred at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England following the 2016 election of Donald Trump," Lisa Margulies, with the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said.
Now, in the week following the 2024 presidential election... appointments for long-acting reversible contraceptives at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England nearly doubled.
"At PPN&E [appointments] nearly doubled from an average of 111 appointments per week pre-election to 215," Margulies said.
For the organization's chapter in Maine, that means the number of appointments grew by more than 80 percent.
"LARC appointment bookings at PPNNE health centers in Maine grew by 84 percent from an average of 26 appointments per week to 48 per week," Margulies said.
Margulies says the non-profit also saw this trend in 2022 when Roe V. Wade was overturned.
"In the first few days post-Dobbs, appointment bookings for long-acting reversible contraception at PPN&E increased by 44 percent," Margulies said.
With another Trump Administration on the horizon, Margulies says there are fears that restrictions on Title X, which is the only federal program solely dedicated to family planning, could return.
Another concern is cost, currently insurance covers most birth control under the affordable care act.
"We know that after Trump took office the first time, there was an attempt to repeal the ACA, along with Planned Parenthood," Margulies said.
Margulies says people often associate planned parenthood with abortion — but the nonprofit offers a wider range of care.
That includes cancer and STI screenings, miscarriage care, and even some behavioral health support.
Back in May before the 2024 election, now president-elect Trump gave conflicting statements about whether he would support restrictions on contraception if he won the White House.