A recent report released by the Society of Family Planning revealed that the number of women getting abortions in the U.S. increased in the first three months of 2024 compared to before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The increase was attributed to Democratic-controlled states enacting laws to protect doctors who use telemedicine to provide abortion services in areas with abortion bans. The data comes ahead of the November elections where abortion-rights supporters hope the issue will drive voters to the polls. The report reflects how providers and individuals seeking abortion have adapted to the changing legal landscape following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022.
The survey found that states with total bans on abortion saw the number of abortions nearly drop to zero, while states that banned abortions after six weeks experienced a decline. However, states where abortion remains legal later in pregnancy, such as Illinois, Kansas, and New Mexico, saw an increase in the number of abortions. The report estimated that without these post-Dobbs bans, there would have been around 9,900 more abortions per month in these states. Abortion pills and telemedicine played a significant role in providing access to abortion services in states with bans or restrictions.
Doctors in states with laws protecting medical providers used telemedicine to prescribe abortion pills to nearly 10,000 patients in areas with abortion bans or restrictions. This accounted for about 1 in 10 abortions in the U.S. The laws to protect medical providers using telemedicine for abortion pills started taking effect in Democratic-led states. The report highlighted the benefits of telemedicine in easing the burden on clinics and creating more space for individuals seeking abortion services. Despite a narrow Supreme Court ruling preserving access to abortion pills, there have been no legal challenges to shield laws.
The data collected in the #WeCount report covers the first three months of 2024, showing an average of just under 99,000 abortions per month, compared to 84,000 in the months before the Dobbs ruling. The efforts of tracking abortion trends provide a timely snapshot of the evolving landscape, with some states seeing increases in abortions due to changing legislation. Abortion-related measures are already on the ballot in six states, with determinations pending in four others. Abortion-rights supporters have historically prevailed in ballot questions since 2022, reflecting growing support for abortion rights among Americans.
In states like Florida, where abortions increased, a ban after six weeks’ gestation recently took effect. The upcoming November elections will include ballot measures in states like Nebraska and Arizona to either expand or restrict abortion access. The potential impact of bringing back Civil War-era abortion bans has mobilized voters, like 23-year-old Natalie Harper from Arizona. In states like Missouri, where almost no abortions were reported, a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights could be on the ballot, potentially swaying the outcome of competitive legislative races. Ultimately, the issue of abortion continues to be a significant factor in shaping state policies and driving voter turnout in the upcoming elections.
