Title: One Year After Historic Ruling, US Faces Consequences of Abortion Ban
Subtitle: Millions of Women Lose Access to Abortion as Support for the Procedure Increases
By Robin Levinson-King
BBC News
A year ago, the US Supreme Court made a landmark decision that ended the nationwide right to abortion, impacting the lives of millions of women and reshaping the political landscape. The ruling overturned the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, which had guaranteed women the right to an abortion until the point of foetal viability, typically around 24 weeks. In the case of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the conservative majority on the court handed over the power to regulate or ban abortion to individual states.
Since then, the US has experienced significant changes:
1. Millions of women lost the right to an abortion:
Thirteen states had already passed “trigger bills” that allowed them to ban abortion immediately after the Dobbs decision. Currently, 14 states, mostly in the South, have enacted near-total bans on abortion from the moment of conception. Georgia, for example, banned abortion after six weeks, before most women even realize they are pregnant. This means that approximately 22 million women of reproductive age now live in states that have banned abortion, representing about a third of the total childbearing population. Additionally, five states have introduced bans after 12-20 weeks gestation, while court challenges against stricter abortion limits are pending in five others.
2. American women had fewer abortions:
The anti-abortion movement aims to reduce the number of abortions to zero, and the state-wide bans and tighter restrictions have already had a significant impact. Data from WeCount, a research initiative funded by the pro-choice Society of Family Planning, shows that between July 2022 and March 2023, there were 24,290 fewer legal abortions compared to the average calculated in the months before the Dobbs decision. The decline in legal abortions was most pronounced in states with abortion bans. However, neighboring states with protected access to the procedure, such as Florida, Illinois, and North Carolina, saw a smaller increase in legal abortions.
3. Women traveled farther to get abortions:
As more states pass abortion bans, women who seek the procedure often have to travel across state lines. This has led to longer journeys overall, with the average travel time to the nearest abortion clinic nearly quadrupling after the Dobbs decision, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Low-income women, who make up the majority of those seeking abortions, face additional barriers such as the cost of travel, childcare, and potential employment risks.
4. Support for abortion has increased:
Despite the abortion bans, public support for the procedure has actually increased in the year following the Supreme Court decision. According to surveys conducted by Pew Research, in 2019, about 31% of people in states that would later institute bans believed that abortion should be easier to access. However, in 2023, after the bans were implemented, 46% of the population thought it should be easier. Support for abortion remains largely divided along political lines, with 84% of Democrats believing it should be legal in most cases compared to 40% of Republicans. Notably, proposed abortion restrictions directly on the ballot in conservative states have failed during the 2022 midterm elections, presenting a challenge for Republicans who risk alienating moderate voters.
The consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision continue to unfold, with millions of women losing access to abortion while support for the procedure increases. The impact of these changes on women’s health and the political landscape will undoubtedly shape the future of reproductive rights in the US.
With reporting from Nada Tawfik and Holly Honderich
What is the impact of the US Supreme Court ruling on abortion on the number of legal abortions, particularly in states with abortion bans
The US Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion has Affected Women and Political Landscape
Subtitle: Abortion Bans Leave Women with Limited Options Amidst Increasing Support for the Procedure
By Robin Levinson-King
BBC News
In a historic ruling one year ago, the US Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to abortion, leaving millions of women without access and reshaping the political landscape. The decision, which ended the guarantee of abortion rights established in the 1973 Roe v Wade case, gave individual states the power to regulate or ban the procedure.
Since then, several significant changes have occurred:
1. Loss of abortion rights for millions of women:
Following the Dobbs decision, 14 states primarily located in the South have implemented near-total bans on abortion, starting from the moment of conception. For instance, Georgia has prohibited abortion after just six weeks, a time when many women are unaware of their pregnancy. This means around 22 million women of reproductive age now reside in states where abortion is banned, comprising approximately one-third of the total childbearing population. Moreover, five states have introduced bans after 12-20 weeks of gestation, while court challenges against stricter abortion restrictions are ongoing in five other states.
2. Decline in the number of abortions:
The anti-abortion movement’s goal of eliminating abortions has seen progress due to state-wide bans and tighter regulations. Data from WeCount, a research initiative funded by the pro-choice Society of Family Planning, indicates that between July 2022 and March 2023, there were 24,290 fewer legal abortions compared to the pre-Dobbs average. This decline in legal abortions was particularly noticeable in states with abortion bans.
“The US Supreme Court’s abortion decision still carries a significant impact one year later, shaping reproductive rights and the ongoing debate over women’s autonomy. It serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting individual choices and the need for continued advocacy.”
“The US Supreme Court’s abortion decision has been a landmark ruling that continues to have a profound impact even after a year. It is crucial to acknowledge and protect women’s rights to reproductive healthcare, ensuring that access to safe and legal abortions remains available to all who need it.”