New Mexico Democrat Gov. Grisham issues order for $10M for clinic providing abortions

New Mexico Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has designated $10 million in taxpayer dollars for a clinic that will perform abortions, saying her decision will prepare the state to meet the demands for the procedure from women in nearby states that "restrict access to reproductive health services."

Eleven states, including neighboring Texas, have begun enforcing near-total abortion bans since the Supreme Court this summer overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision providing a constitutional right to the procedure, according to Reuters. 

"These efforts to restrict access to reproductive health services from other states may lead more individuals to seek services from New Mexico healthcare providers," Lujan Grisham said Wednesday in announcing her executive order earmarking the money. "We must work to protect and expand the availability of these services to address the demands on our system."

New Mexico is the only state neighboring Texas in which abortion remains legal. 

The clinic is set to be built in southern New Mexico's Dona Ana County bordering Texas.

Whether the clinic is run by public or private service providers has yet to be decided, the wire service reports.

Grisham is running for reelection against Republican Mark Ronchetti.

In response to Grisham's decision, Ronchetti said taxpayer funds should not be used for a clinic in which late-term abortions would be available for out-of-state patients.

He has proposed limiting abortion to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, cases of rape or incest or when a mother's life is at risk, also according to Reuters.