New president-elect Donald Trump has come with many uncertainties, especially for immigrants and women; NewsChannel5 talked to local Planned Parenthood officials about what kind of changes they could see in the future.
"I'm pro-life, the judges will be pro-life," said President-elect Trump in his first interview since winning the White House.
In the 60 Minutes interview, President-elect Trump spoke on the Supreme Court and Roe v. Wade.
"Having to do with abortion if it ever were overturned it would go back to the states," he said.
"But some women won't be able to get an abortion," said 60 Minutes corespondent Leslie Stahl.
"Well they'll have to go to another state," Trump replied.
His words and some of his other promises spurred Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee to rally Sunday.
"If he carries through on the promises he's made to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to defund Planned Parenthood it could have a tremendous impact," said Planned Parenthood CEO Jeff Teague.
The clinics Teague oversees in Tennessee work with 20,000 patients a year for regular check-ups and screenings.
An additional 7,000 women receive an abortion. No federal funding can go toward the abortion side of the clinic except in cases of rape, incest or when the mother's life is in danger.
"We know that the legal status of abortion doesn't change the fact that women will have abortions," Teague said, "what will change is it will no longer be safe and women's health and their lives will be in danger."
But many Tennessee lawmakers are excited by Trump's stance.
Congressman Diane Black has led the charge to defund the clinics.
She sent NewsChannel5 the following statement:
"As President-elect Trump made clear once again in Sunday night’s interview, his administration will be a bold defender of life. I am grateful to hear him reaffirm his commitment to appointing pro-life Supreme Court justices and am eager to work alongside him on legislation such as my bill: the Defund Planned Parenthood Act. After eight long years of the Obama Administration’s endless political favors to the abortion lobby, President-elect Donald Trump will be a welcome change for all who believe in defending the rights of our voiceless unborn."
In Tennessee, there's little doubt abortion could be outlawed if up to the states. It's something Teague says could hurt thousands of women, especially those who can't travel across the country to receive treatment.
"This would disproportionately impact poor and low income women," Teague said.
Planned Parenthood reports a spike in donations, volunteer offers in wake of the election.
