Out-of-state travel for abortions doubled in the last three years, according to a new report released by the Guttmacher Institute. The report suggests that the increase in interstate abortion travel is a result of the implementation of bans and restrictions on the procedure in many states.
The report, which compared data from 2020 to 2023, found that 92,100 women traveled out of state to obtain an abortion in the first half of 2023, compared to 40,600 in the first half of 2020. This significant increase is attributed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the Roe v. Wade ruling and determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion.
Several states have implemented bans and restrictions on abortion following the Dobbs decision. Currently, 15 states have near-total abortion bans, two states prohibit abortion after six weeks gestation, two ban abortion after 12 weeks, and four have strong pro-life protections in litigation. Florida also bans abortion after 15 weeks gestation.
The Guttmacher Institute’s report highlighted specific states that have seen a significant number of out-of-state abortions. Illinois performed the highest number of abortions on non-residents, with 18,870 women traveling to the state in the first half of 2023. This is likely due to the state’s close proximity to Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri, which have near-total abortion bans.
Other states that attracted a considerable number of out-of-state women seeking abortions include New Mexico, Florida, and Colorado. New Mexico saw 8,230 women travel into the state, as it borders Texas and Oklahoma, both of which have near-total abortion bans. Florida attracted 5,780 out-of-state women, despite having a 15-week abortion ban, while Colorado saw 3,990 women traveling to the state due to its proximity to states with various abortion restrictions.
The Guttmacher Institute emphasized the importance of policies that protect and expand access to abortion in light of these findings. They mentioned that allowing qualified health providers, not just physicians, to offer abortion care and implementing shield laws to protect providers from investigations by hostile states have been critical in meeting patients’ needs.
While some states have enacted abortion restrictions, others have gone in the opposite direction. States like California, Michigan, Vermont, and Ohio have established constitutional rights to abortion through ballot measures approved by voters.
These findings highlight the significant impact of the Dobbs decision and the subsequent implementation of bans and restrictions on abortion in many states. Women are increasingly traveling out of state to access abortion services, with key states like Illinois, New Mexico, Florida, and Colorado seeing a high number of out-of-state patients. The report emphasizes the need for policies that protect and expand access to abortion in order to meet the needs of these patients.
