A recent report has highlighted a significant drop in the number of abortions carried out in the United States following the Dobbs decision issued by the Supreme Court last June, which overturned the precedent set by Roe v. Wade. The data shows that there were 32,000 fewer abortions within the six months after the ruling, indicating the substantial impact of pro-life legislation on a national level.
The Society of Family Planning, a left-leaning nonprofit organization, released its #WeCount report on Tuesday, outlining the shifts in abortion access by state. Data for the study was collected from over 80% of known abortion providers nationwide, including clinics, private medical offices, hospitals, and virtual clinics. Self-managed abortions outside of the healthcare system were not included in the analysis.
🗑Rather than the inside of a trash can, 32k babies will now see the sun, smile, take their 1st steps, crawl, live, laugh, & love thanks to Roe being overturned❤️ #LTI2 #ProLife #DobbsDecision #RoeVWadehttps://t.co/gxjJmYprj1
— Dan (@DevilD0g_) April 13, 2023
As a result of the Dobbs decision, the national abortion rate decreased from 13.2 per 1,000 women of reproductive age to 12.3 per 1,000 women in the six months following the ruling. In states with robust pro-life legislation, the number of women who had abortions dropped by 43,410. The 13 states that implemented abortion bans experienced a monthly average of 7,235 fewer abortions than before Dobbs.
Despite the overall decline in abortions, the report revealed an increase in the number of abortions provided by virtual clinic telehealth providers. The number rose from 3,610 in April 2022 (4% of all abortions) to 8,540 in December (11% of all abortions), marking a 137% increase in virtual-only services between April and December.
States that allowed abortion after the Dobbs decision saw a cumulative total of 11,150 more abortions. The report highlighted states such as Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Colorado, and Michigan, which experienced the most significant increases in the total number of abortions six months after the decision.
Some states with restrictions in place but located closer to states with abortion bans also saw a surge in the number of abortions provided by clinicians. The report’s authors noted that those unable to overcome travel barriers are likely those with the fewest socioeconomic resources.
The data underscores the tangible effects of pro-life legislation, as the decline in abortion rates has impacted thousands of lives. In addition, the Dobbs decision has led to increased protection for unborn children in many states, and the subsequent drop in abortions is a testament to the importance of such measures.
The rise of telehealth abortions, however, raises concerns about accessibility and the potential for circumventing state laws. As technology advances, addressing these challenges will be crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of pro-life legislation.
