Abortion in the U.S./ abortion pills access/ abortion travel trends/ post-Roe abortion rates/ abortion laws by state/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Abortion rates in the U.S. have slightly increased since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, despite widespread bans in Republican-controlled states. Access has shifted to abortion pills and travel to states where the procedure remains legal. Legal battles and the evolving abortion landscape continue to shape healthcare and reproductive rights nationwide.
Abortion Trends in the U.S.: Quick Looks
- Rising Numbers: Abortions have slightly increased post-Dobbs despite bans in several states.
- Pills Central to Access: Abortion pills now account for nearly two-thirds of all procedures.
- Travel Necessity: Women in restrictive states are traveling to access abortions legally.
- State-Level Shifts: Clinics expand in abortion-legal states; bans reduce options in others.
- Emergency Care Crisis: Delayed care during pregnancy complications poses severe risks.
- Voter Support: Public sentiment favors abortion rights, reflected in recent ballot victories.
U.S. Abortions Increase Despite State Bans and Restrictions
Deep Look
Abortion in the United States has become more common in the two and a half years since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. While many Republican-led states have enacted abortion bans or strict restrictions, national abortion numbers have not declined. Instead, women have turned to abortion pills and out-of-state travel, underscoring a dynamic and complex post-Roe reality.
Abortions on the Rise Despite Bans
Since the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, abortions have slightly increased nationwide. This uptick comes even as states with bans have seen abortion rates drop to near zero. A
ccording to public health expert Ushma Upadhyay, “Abortion bans don’t actually prevent abortions from happening. They change how and where they happen.” Women in restricted states face significant barriers, with low-income and minority women disproportionately affected.
The Role of Abortion Pills
Abortion pills, previously involved in half of abortions, now account for nearly two-thirds of procedures. The rise of telehealth has facilitated access, even in states with bans, with pills often mailed discreetly to patients. This has fueled new legal battles, including lawsuits targeting doctors prescribing pills via telemedicine and calls to restrict the mailing of abortion medication. States like Texas and Missouri are attempting to classify the pills as controlled substances, escalating the fight over abortion access.
Travel for Abortions
With clinics closing in states enforcing bans, many women are traveling to abortion-legal states. States like New Mexico and Kansas have seen surges in patients from neighboring restrictive states. Advocacy groups and abortion funds help women cover travel costs, though some funds have capped aid due to overwhelming demand.
Changing Abortion Maps
The legal and political landscape around abortion remains in flux. States such as Illinois, Kansas, and New Mexico have seen new clinics open, while restrictive states like Florida enforce bans that push women to travel long distances. Florida’s recent six-week ban has significantly reduced abortion rates, cutting procedures by 35% in June 2024 compared to earlier in the year.
Emergencies Highlight a Healthcare Crisis
The overturning of Roe has also complicated care for pregnancy emergencies. Hospitals in restrictive states often delay or deny care due to legal uncertainties. Reports reveal harrowing cases: a woman miscarrying in a hospital restroom in Texas and another forced to deliver in a car after being denied an ultrasound in North Carolina.
These delays are life-threatening, with experts like Dr. Dara Kass warning, “It is increasingly less safe to be pregnant and seeking emergency care.”
Abortion Rights and Public Opinion
Despite restrictive policies, public support for abortion rights remains strong. Since 2022, abortion rights advocates have won 14 of 18 statewide ballot measures on reproductive rights. In 2024 alone, five states amended their constitutions to protect abortion rights. National polling shows that over 60% of voters support legal abortion in most or all cases—a slight increase from 2020.
Looking Ahead
As abortion policies continue to evolve, the divide between states upholding access and those restricting it widens. With federal courts, state governments, and voters weighing in, the future of reproductive rights in the U.S. remains uncertain but fiercely contested.
