Women across the United States are reportedly stockpiling abortion pills in unprecedented numbers amid fears of impending additional restrictions on reproductive rights. Aid Access, an organization that provides access to abortion pills, received approximately 48,400 requests for advance provision between September 2021 and April 2023. The surge in demand was particularly notable following the leak in May 2022 that the Supreme Court would overturn Roe v. Wade.
According to researchers, the average number of daily requests for abortion pills increased nearly tenfold nationally, from approximately 25 in the eight months before the leak to 247 after the leak. In states where abortion bans were anticipated, the average weekly request rate rose nearly ninefold. The spike in demand was attributed to concerns about the potential threats to reproductive health access and rights.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the number of daily requests dropped to 89. However, conflicting legal rulings regarding the federal approval of mifepristone led to a subsequent increase in requests to 172 in April 2023. This rise in demand corresponds to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding limitations on the drug, as the Supreme Court is expected to rule on the matter this year.
Researchers also discovered disparities in the demographics of those seeking advance provision of abortion pills. Compared to individuals requesting pills for current abortions, a greater proportion of those seeking advance provision were at least 30 years old, white, childless, and living in urban areas with lower poverty rates. This suggests that individuals facing greater barriers to abortion care may not have access to advance provision services.
Dr. Daniel Grossman, an OB-GYN at the University of California, San Francisco, highlighted the value of having abortion pills readily available, particularly for individuals who may have to travel to another state or rely on telehealth services once pregnant. However, he emphasized the need for further research into the existing inequities surrounding advance provision.
While advance provision of abortion pills is a relatively new concept within the US healthcare setting, some organizations have recently begun offering this option. Dr. Abigail Aiken, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, noted that many people may be unaware that such services are available.
As concerns mount over the potential for increased abortion restrictions, it is clear that women are taking proactive measures to ensure they have access to abortion pills. However, it is crucial to address the existing inequities to ensure that advance provision reaches those who face the greatest barriers to abortion care. With the Supreme Court set to rule on the limitations of mifepristone, the future of reproductive rights in the United States remains uncertain.
