Southern States Push for Stricter Abortion Laws Despite Controversy

South Carolina is moving towards a near-total abortion ban, which would leave Virginia as the only state in the South with unrestricted access to abortions. North Carolina will also ban most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy beginning July 1. Abortion is banned or severely restricted in much of the South, including bans throughout pregnancy in several states. Stricter bans across the South would heighten Virginia’s role as an access point and create a “ripple effect” as people travel from out of state to seek care.