Abortion rights will take center stage at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago, marking a significant shift from the minimal attention it received during the 2020 event.

Democrats plan to highlight the detrimental effects of abortion restrictions, framing the upcoming election as crucial for reform in reproductive rights.

With at least 13 states enacting extreme abortion bans and 15 others imposing various restrictions, access to abortion has become a critical issue in the current election cycle.

To support this focus, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers will operate a mobile health center near the convention site, offering free medication abortions and vasectomies.

The mobile unit will provide these services from August 19 to August 20, aiming to expand access to reproductive health care for those affected by restrictive laws in surrounding states.

The demand for vasectomy appointments has been so high that a waiting list has already formed, reflecting the urgent need for reproductive services.

Prominent Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have emphasized reproductive freedoms as a key campaign issue, indicating a strategic shift in party messaging.

The convention will also showcase personal stories from women impacted by abortion restrictions, which have been featured in this year's presidential campaign advertisements.

Vice President Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz are expected to address reproductive rights and fertility treatments during the event.

In contrast, the Republican convention did not mention abortion, underscoring the political sensitivity surrounding the issue as Democrats advocate for reform.

Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized Planned Parenthood Great Rivers for its services near the convention, expressing her disapproval on social media.

Representative Barbara Lee, co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, described the current moment as a major turning point in the fight for reproductive rights.