In the evolving landscape of abortion access in the United States, recent data suggests a surprising trend: abortions have become slightly more common even in the face of stringent bans and restrictions implemented by many Republican-controlled states.
The transformation began two and a half years ago when the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization dismantled Roe v. Wade, giving states the authority to enforce abortion bans. The aftermath has seen a dynamic shift in policies and practices across the nation.
Rising Abortion Rates Despite Legal Hurdles
Despite the significant legal changes, the overall number of abortions has seen a slight increase nationwide since the Dobbs decision. While states with bans have experienced a drop to nearly zero, the national monthly abortion numbers have climbed slightly.
Public health expert Ushma Upadhyay from the University of California San Francisco articulated, “Abortion bans don’t actually prevent abortions from happening,” highlighting that while bans alter access, they don’t eliminate the demand.
Women in states with stringent bans often face considerable obstacles, particularly affecting low-income, minority, and immigrant populations. Options for these women include traveling to states where abortion is legal or utilizing abortion pills.
The Increasing Role of Abortion Pills
In response to the restrictions, abortion pills have become increasingly central in the abortion landscape. Prior to the Dobbs ruling, these pills accounted for roughly half of all abortions. Recent studies from the Guttmacher Institute indicate this figure has risen to nearly two-thirds.
The convenience of telehealth has facilitated this shift, with about 10% of abortions occurring via telehealth prescriptions in states where abortion is banned by mid-2024.
Legal battles over the pills continue, with Texas suing a New York doctor for prescribing them via telemedicine. Additionally, several states are attempting to reclassify these medications as “controlled dangerous substances,” while federal enforcement of a 19th-century law banning their mailing is also being pursued.
Increased Travel for Abortions
With many clinics in banned states halting operations, a strengthened network is helping women travel to states where abortions remain legal. Research from the Guttmacher Institute shows that, in 2023, more Texans obtained abortions in New Mexico than New Mexico residents themselves, with similar patterns in Kansas.
Although abortion funds have assisted many in affording travel, financial constraints have led some to cap their contributions.
Shifting Abortion Landscape
Since Roe’s reversal, ongoing legislative and judicial actions have continually reshaped abortion access. Florida’s recent enforcement of a six-week pregnancy abortion ban drastically altered the state’s role from a refuge to a source of out-of-state abortion seekers. This resulted in a significant decline in abortions within the state.
Some states, where abortion remains legal, have seen expansions of clinics. Even with a slight decrease in total providers since Roe’s fall, some hospitals have begun advertising abortion services they previously offered quietly.
Emergency Abortion Access Concerns
The issue of emergency abortion access has become more pressing, with more than 100 pregnant women reportedly turned away or left unstable in emergency rooms since 2022. This has raised concerns about the safety of pregnant women seeking emergency care.
The Biden administration insists on hospitals offering life-saving abortions, though Texas and other states continue to challenge this policy.
Public Support for Abortion Rights
Abortion rights have shown resilience in public opinion, with 18 ballot measures related to reproductive rights since Roe’s overturning. Advocates have succeeded in 14 of these measures, indicating robust public support, as shown by AP VoteCast data, which reflects a majority favoring legal abortion in most cases.
