Abortion Seekers Double State Boundaries in First Half of 2023, Report Shows
It's a stark contrast to just three years ago. According to a recent report from the Guttmacher Institute, the renowned organization dedicated to promoting sexual and reproductive health, around 18% of people seeking abortions - over 92,000 individuals - traveled outside their home state in the first half of 2023 to receive abortion care and uphold their reproductive rights. This is a notable increase from less than 10% of individuals traveling for the same reasons in the first half of 2020, before the Dobbs Supreme Court decision that dismantled federal abortion protections.
Data Scientist and Principal Investigator Isaac Maddow-Zimet of the Guttmacher Institute hypothesized that these figures might be underestimating the actual impact of Dobbs decision. As the demand for abortion care increases, a growing number of people are compelled to travel, often crossing multiple state borders, especially when neighboring states enforce abortion bans and limitations.
Consider Texas and Oklahoma. Back in 2020, individuals from Texas might have visited Oklahoma for abortion care. Fast-forward to 2023, and you'll find that while they're still traveling, this isn't an option any longer. Maddow-Zimet highlights the consequence, wherein people are forced to pass through multiple states and over long distances, thereby incurring higher costs. This, he contends, drives up the financial burden and complexity for those attempting to access abortion care.
Clinics are adapting to this changing landscape. Dr. Adarsh Krishen, the Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, observes an increase in patients requiring later-stage pregnancy care. While medication abortions remain the most common method, more individuals seeking out-of-state abortion care choose later-term procedures to maximize their chances of success.
Krishen emphasizes the importance of providing patients with necessary healthcare and valuing their individual needs, even as the process becomes more complicated.
Inside the patient support experience, there's a noticeable transformation. Amy Hagstrom Miller, the founder and CEO of Whole Woman's Health, a reproductive healthcare service provider, notes that varied factors come into play when patients arrive for their appointments. Some patients face time constraints, requiring expeditious travel by air or automobile. Others might be accompanied by family members, including children and elderly relatives.
To cater to these diverse needs, Whole Woman's Health has adapted their waiting areas. For example, in New Mexico, clinics offer separate spaces with toys, snacks, and comfortable seating for patients and their families, offering a respite for those traversing long distances.
According to the Guttmacher Institute's new report, over 8,200 abortions performed in New Mexico in the first half of 2023 were on individuals crossing state lines. Only Illinois and North Carolina had more out-of-state procedures.
Hagstrom-Miller points out that the range of individuals traveling for abortion care is vast, from a literal perspective as well as symbolically. Despite the hardships and uncertainty, individuals remain resolute in their decision to seek abortion care.
The revised data from the Guttmacher Institute is based on monthly surveys of abortion providers and takes historical trends into account when estimating abortion rates at the state level. This data pertains to legal, medical procedures, including clinic treatments for private patients and telemedicine services, but excludes self-administered abortion methods like those offered by AidAccess.
Previously, reports suggested an increase in US abortions post-Dobbs decision, particularly in states adjacent to those with abortion restrictions.
Today, the US abortion landscape remains uncertain, with the potential for further access limitations in the South.
The Guttmacher Institute's report highlights that South Carolina has emerged as a substantial source of abortion services for the region since the Dobbs decision. Nearly 40% of abortions in the first half of 2023 were performed on individuals from out-of-state, in contrast to just 3% in 2020. However, a six-week abortion ban was implemented in August, leading to a significant decrease in monthly abortion numbers. Guttmacher data reveals that this drop equated to about a fifth of the previous month's total and was less than during similar bans in Texas and Georgia.
Maddow-Zimet anticipates that a possible future Supreme Court decision in Florida could impose similar restrictions, with potentially far-reaching consequences. "Access to medical care is becoming increasingly unreachable for many individuals—and that presents a formidable barrier," he said.
The Guttmacher Institute's data shows that abortion bans and restrictions in states where abortion is legal have contributed to an rise in abortion demand, though not all the increase can be attributable to out-of-state patients.
For example, in Illinois, the number of abortions performed in the first half of 2023 was over 18,000 higher compared to the first half of 2020. The rise in out-of-state patients accounted for around 70% of this increase, which means that approximately 30% of Illinois's population is seeking medical care outside their state.
Maddow-Zimet explains that many of the policies and support measures enacted by states, or other forms of assistance for abortion patients, initially focus on helping individuals from out-of-state, but eventually benefit local residents as well. "We've seen clinics in Illinois expanding their capacities, increasing their financial support," he said. "This has undoubtedly helped address the surge in patients, but it has also enhanced overall access to healthcare in Illinois."
