All articles tagged with #abortion bans
A JAMA study of more than 123,000 miscarriages before 10 weeks (2018–2024) links abortion bans to a 2.8% rise in expectant management and a 2.2% drop in medication-based care, with a 13.8% uptick in misoprostol-only regimens, signaling slower, higher-risk treatment and widening state disparities.
An OHSU study in JAMA finds state abortion bans correlate with reduced evidence-based miscarriage management, shifting care toward expectant management and more misoprostol-only regimens, delaying treatment and potentially harming health and fertility, with greater impact on Medicaid/low-income patients amid legal uncertainty surrounding mifepristone.
A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the rule that abortion pills must be picked up in person, blocking access via mail and telehealth. The decision, tied to Louisiana’s suit against the FDA, is a win for antiabortion advocates and will affect access in states with bans while manufacturers seek to pause or challenge the ruling.
ProPublica’s investigation chronicles how Ciji Graham, a 34-year-old pregnant Greensboro police officer with atrial fibrillation, could not access urgent heart treatment or a timely abortion under North Carolina’s abortion restrictions, ultimately dying from cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiologists say she should have been hospitalized for cardioversion, but delays stemmed from care being routed through clinics rather than hospitals, unclear policies, and legal fears around abortion. The piece situates her death within a broader pattern of high‑risk pregnant patients losing access to standard care in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Three years after the overturning of Roe v Wade, US abortion numbers have increased, driven by telehealth services and shield laws, despite bans in many states. The data shows a record high of 1.14 million abortions in 2024, with a significant rise in telehealth abortions, especially in rural areas, and ongoing legal challenges to shield laws and access to abortion drugs.
A CDC report reveals that the number of abortions in the US fell by only 2% in 2022 despite state bans following the overturning of Roe v Wade. The report highlights a divide in access, with some states enacting strict bans while others have protective laws, leading to increased abortions in those areas. The availability of abortion pills and telemedicine has helped maintain abortion numbers. However, the report's data is incomplete, as some states do not provide comprehensive information. The sustainability of current abortion access, reliant on donations and support organizations, remains uncertain.
A Texas woman, Porsha Ngumezi, died after receiving inadequate medical treatment for a miscarriage, highlighting the impact of abortion bans on healthcare. Ngumezi, who was 10 weeks pregnant, experienced heavy bleeding and was given misoprostol instead of a dilation and curettage (D&C), a procedure some doctors avoid due to fear of legal repercussions. This incident is part of a broader issue where women in states with strict abortion laws face delayed or inadequate care, contributing to maternal mortality.
In states with strict abortion bans, pharmacists face uncertainty and fear of legal action when dispensing misoprostol, a drug used for abortions as well as other medical purposes. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has led to confusion and distress for both pharmacists and patients, with some pharmacists refusing to prescribe misoprostol due to legal concerns. Women have experienced delays in accessing prescribed medications, including misoprostol, even when not seeking abortions, highlighting the impact of these laws on healthcare access.
Conservative and centrist Republican women are facing internal divisions as new abortion restrictions and court rulings continue to emerge across the United States, leading to complex conversations about reproductive health issues. Fractures are becoming apparent as the party's traditional stance against abortion encounters real-life scenarios such as miscarriage, medical emergencies, and fertility treatments. Arizona, a crucial battleground state, is at the center of the intense debate following the State Supreme Court's decision to reinstate an 1864 law banning all abortions from the moment of conception, without exceptions for rape or incest.
The Texas Medical Board has proposed guidance for exceptions to the state's abortion bans, addressing how physicians can provide care in medical emergencies. The guidance, which is open for public comments, emphasizes the need for physicians to use their reasonable medical judgment and document their decision-making in cases of medical emergencies. However, critics, including women suing Texas over its abortion bans, express concerns that the guidance does not cover cases of fatal fetal anomalies and could potentially add burdens on physicians. Anti-abortion protesters and abortion rights activists have also voiced their opinions on the proposed rules.
A new report finds that the number of monthly abortions in the US is similar to pre-Roe v. Wade levels, with telemedicine prescriptions accounting for one in six abortions. The report estimates that 120,000 more abortions would have occurred in states with bans if they had not been implemented. While some states have enforced bans on abortion, others have taken steps to protect access to abortion, including via telehealth. The report does not cover self-managed abortions, and the US Supreme Court is considering the approval of mifepristone, a drug commonly used in abortions.
A new analysis from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals a 12% increase in the rate of premature births in the US from 2014 to 2022, with significant racial and age disparities among mothers. Black mothers and women over 40 are at higher risk. Experts warn that abortion bans could exacerbate the maternal and infant health crisis, with stress and economic factors likely contributing to the rise in preterm births. The report underscores the ongoing racial disparities and the potential risks of starting families later in life, while highlighting the need for further research and solutions to address this concerning trend.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimates that 64,565 pregnancies resulting from rape occurred in 14 states with abortion bans, despite exceptions for rape. The study highlights the limited access to legal abortions for rape survivors in these states, leading many to seek illegal procedures, self-managed abortions, or travel to states where abortion is legal. The findings underscore the need for national protection of the right to choose to terminate pregnancy, as legal exceptions for rape are hindered by stringent time limits and reporting requirements.
A study led by Planned Parenthood Montana's medical director found that in 14 states with abortion bans triggered by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, an estimated 64,565 pregnancies were linked to rape, with the majority occurring in states without exceptions for terminating pregnancies in cases of rape. The study used historic data on nationwide incidents of vaginal rape and adjusted it to females aged 15-45, revealing that a significant proportion of these pregnancies occurred in Texas. The study's lead researcher expressed shock at the high number and emphasized the prevalence of sexual assault, while acknowledging the difficulty of obtaining accurate data on such experiences.
A new study estimates that nearly 65,000 pregnancies have resulted from rape in states with abortion bans, with fewer than 10 abortions occurring each month in these states. Experts highlight the challenges and trauma faced by rape survivors seeking abortion, emphasizing the need for accessible reproductive healthcare. The study aims to raise awareness of the impact of abortion bans and potential exceptions, shedding light on the stigmatized issue and advocating for better support for survivors of sexual assault.