One woman who came to see me had struggled with infertility. She had several prior miscarriages, and then she discovered at her 20-week ultrasound that her pregnancy was abnormal. The baby’s brain was missing vital parts that just hadn’t developed.

Although I know how difficult it must have been to say goodbye, she was remarkably strong and composed. That’s the absurdity and inhumanity of 20-week abortion bans: circumstances change, and some women need abortion after 20 weeks.

In my state at the time, Medicaid didn’t cover abortion unless it was for the case of rape, incest, or health of the mother. Fortunately, this woman could afford the two-day procedure to end her pregnancy out of pocket, but many women on Medicaid endure dangerous and costly delays for weeks when seeking abortion, while they try to gather resources. Medicaid should cover abortion, and a 20-week ban is just cruel to women and families.