A new study has shown the trends in the number of abortions in each state since the Supreme Court decided to leave abortion laws up to the states. Let’s see if banning abortions prevents them from happening.
Spiking Abortion Rates
New research reveals a significant surge in abortion rates across several U.S. states during the first half of 2023.
The Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research organization, provided crucial insights into the increase in abortion trends after the Supreme Court decided to allow abortion banning in some states.
States that have proactively protected abortion rights, such as Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, and Washington, witnessed substantial spikes in abortion rates.
Neighboring states with abortion bans, including Kansas and New Mexico, experienced noteworthy increases, suggesting individuals crossing state lines for abortion services.
A Staggering Rise
New Mexico stood out with a staggering increase in abortions, tripling the numbers from the same period in 2020.
This suggests a substantial influx of individuals seeking abortions from neighboring states, primarily Texas.
The data collected by the Guttmacher Institute is based on monthly estimates from a sample of abortion providers, not including the unsafe, self-performed abortions outside clinical settings.
In Colorado, where abortion rights are safeguarded by state law, the number of abortions surged by 89% during the first half of 2023 compared to 2020.
Abortion Havens
Illinois, which has protective policies for abortion providers and patients, saw a 69% increase in abortion rates, with an estimated 44,000 procedures performed in the first half of 2023.
Illinois has solidified its status as a haven for abortion access, serving as a refuge for individuals from neighboring states who cross the border specifically to get safe abortions.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, clinics like the Alamo Women’s Clinic moved from Texas to New Mexico and Illinois, attracting significant patient numbers from states with abortion bans.
Clinics strategically opened in locations like southern Illinois due to proximity to states with potential bans, resulting in a diverse patient base.
Women Seeking Unsafe Options
A considerable percentage of patients at abortion clinics in southern Illinois travel extensive distances, with some enduring 12-hour journeys to access reproductive healthcare.
In 2020, states with abortion bans accounted for nearly 12% of all abortions in the U.S., showing that abortions still occur even in banned states, just not as safely as the legal ones.
Texas, where abortion bans were enforced, witnessed a stark drop in reported abortions, with just 14 procedures in the first few months of 2023.
The rise in abortions shows the desperation of individuals seeking reproductive healthcare despite legal obstacles, signifying the need for access to safe abortion procedures.
The post ‘Abortion Haven’ States Offering Record Numbers of Women a Choice first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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