Denied Care in Tennessee, She Became a Candidate, Plaintiff, and...a Movie Star? | Allie Phillips

Allie Phillips was denied a medically necessary abortion in Tennessee after learning her daughter wouldn't survive — so she flew to New York to get the care her state wouldn't allow. She told her story on TikTok, went viral, became a plaintiff in a multi-state lawsuit against abortion bans, appeared in the HBO Max documentary Perilous Passage: Birth in America, and is now running for Tennessee's State House District 75. And there might be a new movie about her on the way, too.

In this conversation, Allie and Dr. Kristin Lyerly — who appear together in Perilous Passage: Birth in America — talk about her abortion ban story, what she learned from her 2024 campaign loss, why she's running again in 2026, and what's actually at stake for reproductive rights and so much more in Tennessee this November.

In this episode:
Allie's 19-week diagnosis and the flight to New York for care Tennessee denied her
Going viral with her abortion story on TikTok
Becoming a plaintiff in a multi-state abortion ban lawsuit
Her role in the HBO Max documentary Perilous Passage: Birth in America
Why she's running for Tennessee State House District 75
Learn more or get involved with Allie's campaign: alliep4tn.com
Follow Allie Phillips – Allie P for Tennessee!
Facebook: facebook.com/allie4tn
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TikTok: tiktok.com/@.allie.phillips
The Dr. Kristin Lyerly Show brings you honest, unfiltered conversations at the intersection of medicine, politics, and the fight to build a healthcare system that actually works. New episodes on YouTube, Substack, and wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe so you never miss one.

Follow Dr. Lyerly:
Substack: drkristinlyerly.substack.com
Instagram: @drkristinlyerly
Threads: @drkristinlyerly
TikTok: @drkristinlyerly
Bluesky: @drkristin4wi.bsky.social
Facebook: @drkristinlyerly
Twitter/X: @drkristinlyerly
LinkedIn:@drkristinlyerly

Dr. Kristin Lyerly is an OB-GYN based in northeast Wisconsin and a leading voice on healthcare, politics, and the issues shaping our collective future. As the named physician plaintiff in a landmark Wisconsin abortion decision, she brings a perspective to these conversations that goes beyond politics. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe to stay current on reproductive rights, health politics, all things Wisconsin, and everything else that matters.

Producer: Abraham Lyerly
Music: Nic Tierman
Graphics: Nathaniel Gonzalez