On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Dobbs v. The Jackson Women’s Health Organization abolished the constitutional right to abortion as well as the government’s abortion standards, based on preliminary decisions in the Roe v case. Wade and Planned Parenting v. Casey. Prior to Dobbs’ decision, federal law required that abortions be allowed until the baby was healthy. That government measure has been abolished, allowing countries to set the rules for legalizing abortions and setting boundaries. The accessibility and availability of abortions will vary widely between countries, with some countries prohibiting almost abortions and some countries restricting access to abortion.
This report answers some important questions about abortion in the United States and provides the information gathered before the translation of Roe v. Wade.
What is abortion?
Abortion is the medical termination of a pregnancy. It is a common medical service that many women experience at some point in their lives. There are several types of abortion methods, which the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) classifies into four categories:
How safe are abortions?
Despite its strong security status, abortion is the most regulated medical service in the country and is currently banned in several countries. In addition to restrictions on total abortion and telehealth, many countries set other limits on non-pharmacological abortions, including waiting times, ultrasound requirements, gestational age limits, and requirements. of parental notice and consent. These restrictions often delay access to services.
How often do abortions occur?
The federal CDC Abortion Surveillance System is requesting information from the central health agencies of 50 states, DC, and New York City to record the number and characteristics of abortive women. Many countries collect data from abortive health care providers, the number of patients, the age of pregnancy, and the type of abortion. Reporting to the CDC is voluntary and not all countries participate in the monitoring process. To see also : To Continually Improve Health Equality for New Yorkers Living With and At Risk Of Hiv, State Department Of Health Announces New Solicitation Request (RFA). In particular, California, Maryland, and New Hampshire have not reported abortions on CDC systems for years. The CDC publishes the information available from the monitoring system annually.
The Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit non-profit organization, is another major source of data on abortions in the U.S. From time to time, Guttmacher conducts an Abortion Provider (APC) Census that provides information on abortion events, abortion services, and characteristics of abortion patients. The data from this Census are based primarily on queries collected from all recognized abortion clinics, information obtained from government health departments, and Guttmacher estimates for the role. a small amount of services.
The CDC and Guttmacher data differ in method, time, and completeness, but both reflect the same abortions on abortion rates over the past decade. One notable difference is that Guttmacher’s study included data from California, Maryland, and New Hampshire, which explained at least part of the high rate of abortion in their data.
This report uses data from the CDC and Guttmacher as well as other research organizations.
What has been happening to the abortion rate?
In their latest news, the Guttmacher Center reports abortions at 930,160 by 2020 and a rate of 14.4 per 1,000 women. The CDC reports 629,898 abortions in 2019 and an 11. On the same subject : Grove City Council adopts action plan to address substance abuse and mental health issues.4 abortion rate per thousand women (excluding CA, MD, NH). Both studies show a small increase compared to last year but have declined overall since 2010.
Although many claim that the long-term decline in abortion rates is due to the increased use of effective contraceptives, a number of countries have declined access to contraceptives. low or no cost due to the decline of the X-ray network under the Trump Administration, which may have contributed to the recent increase in abortions. Other factors that may contribute to the increase may include greater protection under Medicaid which made abortion easier in other countries and greater financial support from abortion funds. help individuals pay for abortion care costs.
Country statistics can hide domestic and multiple differences. Low levels of government do not indicate a low demand. Another discrepancy is due to major government policy differences, in which some countries have imposed restrictions on abortions that prevent access and access, in turn, to other countries. they guarantee security in the country’s Constitution and laws.
Who gets abortions?
At what point in pregnancy do abortions occur?
Prior to the 2022 Dobbs ruling, there was a constitutional right of government to have an abortion before pregnancy was considered possible, that is, living outside the womb of a pregnant woman. Health is thought to be around 24 weeks of gestation. See the article : Roper publishes editorial on science, public health and politics | Newsroom. However, abortion usually occurs before the baby is fully healthy.
Where do people get abortion care?
The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 95% of abortions were performed in clinics and only 5% were provided in doctors’ offices or hospitals in 2017. Although some of these clinics offer abortions in addition to other services sexual and reproductive health such as contraceptives, many clinics are specialized. by providing abortion services, only. Abortion is usually prescribed by doctors. However, in 19 countries and D.C., Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) such as Nurse Practitioners and midwives can provide medical abortions. On the other hand, 31 countries prohibit non-medical practitioners from providing abortion care.
Even before Dobbs’ decision, access to abortion services was inadequate nationwide. The proliferation of restrictions in many provinces, especially in the South, has greatly reduced the availability of services in some areas. After turning Roe v. Wade, this geographical diversity is likely to increase as more countries ban abortion services altogether.
Although abortions must be provided at a clinical level, medical abortions may be provided at a clinic or by telephone. Access to medical abortion was limited for many years by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban that only allowed licensed nurses to provide mifepristone in a health care facility. The drug could not be mailed or picked up at a drugstore. However, by December 2021, the FDA had updated its policy permanently and no longer required physicians to prescribe the drug personally. Although countries still regulate the use of mifepristone as a method of abortion, the Biden Administration has confirmed that the FDA has the power to regulate all drugs, including mifepristone. This could lead to future legal action as the national health regulatory authority would be in conflict with the government’s FDA drug control authority.
Voluntary abortion often involves obtaining abortion pills from an online pharmacy that will ship the pills by mail or by buying pills from another country. This usually does not include direct consultation with a physician or telehealth.
How much do abortions cost?
Abortion can be costly. On average, the costs are higher for abortions in the second trimester than in the first trimester. National restrictions can also increase costs, as people may have to travel if abortion is banned or unavailable in their area. Many people pay for out-of-pocket abortion services, but some people may be able to get help with local abortion funds.
Does insurance or Medicaid cover abortions?
Private insurance covers the majority of women of childbearing age, and states are responsible for regulating private sector insurance that is fully covered in their jurisdiction, while the state regulates subsistence plans under the Act. of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Countries can choose whether abortion protection is included or not in the private sector.
What are public opinions about abortion?
Public opinion polls have always found that the general public did not want to see Roe v. Wade also turns out that many people feel that abortion is a personal decision for medical treatment. The public also strongly opposes abortion as a crime against abortionists and doctors who provide abortion services.
Additional KFF resources:
Access and Coverage of Abortion Services
Short story: Abortion in SCOTUS: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health
Brief Edition: National Measures to Protect and Expand Access to Abortion Services
Policy Watch: Employer Protection for Travel Expenses for Abortion
Strategy Note: Counting Tea Post-Roe Leaves in Non-Abortion or Prevention Restrictions
Summary: Termination of Abortion Assignment to Employee Supported Life Plans
Interactive: How National Policies Promote General Access to Abortion
Medication Abortion
Infographic: Presence and Use of Medical Abortion Care
Table of Contents: Presence and Use of Medical Abortion
Brief Edition: Link to National Policy and Federal Policies on Access to Medical Abortion on Telehealth.
Public Opinion on Abortion
Website Event: American Knowledge and Opinion on Abortion and Access to a Supreme Court Judgment.
KFF Health Tracking Poll: Opinions and Knowledge on Abortion as a result of the Supreme Court’s approval.
Other Resources on Women’s Health
Interactive: State Profiles for Women’s Health
Interactive: National Health Insights on Women’s Health Exhibitions
Home Page: Women’s Health Policy
