The Society of Family Planning released a report on Tuesday indicating that women living in states with abortion bans obtained the procedure in the second half of 2023 at a similar rate as before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The report revealed that women accessed abortion by traveling out of state or having prescription abortion pills mailed to them. Telehealth services were also increasingly used by medical providers in states with abortion laws to prescribe abortion pills to patients.
The #WeCount report began surveying abortion providers across the country just before Roe was overturned, providing a snapshot of abortion trends in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling. The report highlighted significant shifts in abortion patterns, with the number of abortions in states with bans dropping drastically, while the nationwide total remained steady or even increased. The study estimated that 99,000 abortions occurred each month in the first half of 2024, up from previous years.
Telehealth played a crucial role in facilitating access to abortion, with a significant increase in the number of pills prescribed via telehealth services. The report indicated that about half of telehealth abortion pill prescriptions were sent to patients in states with abortion bans or restrictions on telehealth prescriptions. Data from the Guttmacher Institute showed that travel remained the primary means of access for women in states with bans, with women traveling out of state to obtain abortions.
The report also highlighted the emergence of telehealth providers offering abortion pills, with the Massachusetts Abortion Access Project being one of the major providers in states with bans. The group prescribed to about 500 patients per month since its launch, charging $250 per person. However, with the help of grant funding, they have now shifted to a model where the price is set at $5, allowing patients to pay more if they can afford it. This new approach is expected to increase the number of abortions provided by the group.
While there have been no major legal challenges to shield laws that protect providers in states with abortion restrictions, there have been attempts to restrict access to certain abortion pills. The U.S. Supreme Court recently preserved access to mifepristone, a key abortion pill, while rejecting a legal challenge to its federal approval. Despite some challenges, abortion care in some places has become more accessible and affordable post-Dobbs, according to Angel Foster, co-founder of the Massachusetts Abortion Access Project. Three states have recently sought to file a lawsuit aimed at rolling back federal decisions that allowed easier access to abortion pills, including through telehealth services.
Overall, the report sheds light on how women in states with abortion bans have continued to access the procedure through various means such as travel, telehealth, and prescription abortion pills. Despite the challenges posed by state restrictions, women have been resilient in seeking out abortion care, with telehealth services playing a pivotal role in ensuring access to safe and legal abortions. The findings underscore the ongoing need to protect and expand abortion access for all individuals, regardless of where they live.
