Abortions Increase in U.S. in Early 2024 Despite Roe v. Wade Overturn
The number of abortions in the Abortions U.S. rose in the first three months of 2024 compared to the period before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, according to a new report. The increase reflects the efforts of Democratic-controlled states to expand access to abortion services.
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Abortions
The quarterly #WeCount report by the Society of Family Planning highlights that the uptick in abortions is partly due to new laws in Democratic states that protect doctors who use telemedicine to provide services in areas with abortion restrictions.
The surge in abortions is evident as voters head to the polls in November, where some states will decide on state-level abortion protections. Since the Supreme Court’s June 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the landscape of abortion services has shifted dramatically. The #WeCount data, collected monthly since April 2022, demonstrates how abortion providers and seekers have adapted to the changing legal environment.
According to the report, abortions nearly disappeared in states with total bans and decreased by about 50% in states with six-week bans, which are implemented before many women are aware they are pregnant. Fourteen states currently enforce bans on abortions at all stages, while four others impose restrictions after about six weeks.
Conversely, states where abortion remains legal past the six-week mark have seen an increase in numbers. Illinois, Kansas, and New Mexico—states bordering those with stricter bans—experienced notable rises in abortion rates. The report estimates that approximately 9,900 more abortions per month—208,000 in total—would have occurred in states with bans if not for the restrictions. Specifically, Illinois saw an increase of over 2,600 abortions per month, Virginia around 1,300, Kansas 1,200, and New Mexico more than 500.
A significant factor in the increased numbers is the role of abortion pills and telemedicine. In March, doctors in states with protective laws prescribed abortion pills to nearly 10,000 patients in areas with abortion restrictions by telehealth, making up about 10% of U.S. abortions. New laws in Democratic-led states have facilitated this practice.
The #WeCount report shows an average of just under 99,000 abortions per month in early 2024, compared to 84,000 in the two months before the Dobbs ruling. January 2024 marked the first time the survey recorded over 100,000 abortions in a single month.
The report, which provides a snapshot of abortion trends with less than a six-month lag, contrasts with the CDC’s annual reports. It also notes that, even before the protective laws came into effect, some individuals were already accessing abortion pills in restricted areas.
Abortion numbers in Florida dropped after a six-week ban took effect in April, although the data does not yet reflect this change. A November ballot measure could alter Florida’s abortion policy to permit abortions up to viability, around 23 or 24 weeks.
In states like Arizona and Nebraska, upcoming ballot measures will address abortion access. In Missouri, where nearly no abortions are reported due to stringent bans, a proposed amendment to guarantee abortion rights could soon qualify for the ballot.
Abortion-rights supporters have won all seven abortion-related ballot measures since 2022, aligning with polling that shows growing support for abortion rights. An Associated Press-NORC poll found that 60% of Americans believe their state should allow legal abortions for any reason.
The potential impact of historical abortion bans, like the one in Arizona, has motivated voters such as Natalie Harper to support ballot measures to ensure abortion rights.
As the debate continues, the evolving data underscores the significant impact of state-level laws and ballot measures on abortion access across the country.
