Challenges in Accessing Abortion Services Have Increased in the US Post-Roe v. Wade Reversal

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In the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, many in the US seeking abortions are facing prolonged delays. One case involved a woman carrying a non-viable fetus, who contacted over a dozen clinics before finally being placed on a weeks-long waitlist. Similarly, a teenage girl had to wait seven weeks for a procedure, due to the time it took her mother to secure an appointment. These delays are exacerbated by long travel distances to clinics that still offer the service, especially for those in advanced stages of pregnancy.

Currently, approximately half of the states in the US have implemented laws that either ban or severely limit abortion access. This has resulted in many clinics discontinuing abortion services, which in turn has increased the demand at the remaining facilities.

Since the reversal of Roe, there have been instances where wait times in some states reached up to two or three weeks, occasionally leaving clinics fully booked. This information was confirmed by a survey led by Caitlin Myers, an economics professor at Middlebury College. Dr. Daniel Grossman from the University of California, San Francisco, co-author of a research report, highlighted the compounding factors contributing to these delays, such as travel logistics, work leave, and childcare arrangements.

The limited window for medication abortions, typically not offered past 10 to 11 weeks of gestation, further complicates access. The availability and cost of abortions also change with the progression of pregnancy, becoming more expensive and less available as time goes on. Dr. Colleen McNicholas of Planned Parenthood in the St. Louis Region emphasized the increasing complexity and risks of abortions as pregnancies progress, despite the procedure being safe throughout pregnancy.

Post-Roe, at least 66 clinics in 15 states ceased providing abortions, according to a study by the Guttmacher Institute. The surge in patients traveling out-of-state for abortions has significantly contributed to the delays. Planned Parenthood clinics in regions like the Rocky Mountains and St. Louis have reported dramatic increases in out-of-state patients.

The Myers Abortion Appointment Availability Survey, which assessed over 700 facilities across the US, found that wait times exceeded five business days in 11 states, with some states experiencing waits of at least eight business days. The longest recorded wait was in Iowa at 12 business days.

Anecdotal evidence from healthcare providers in Dr. Grossman’s report illustrates the challenges faced by patients, including one case where a mother took seven weeks to secure an appointment for her pregnant teenager. Another patient had to drive 10 hours to another state for the procedure.

The increased delays may be pushing more abortions into the second trimester, a trend observed by several providers. For instance, Planned Parenthood in the St. Louis area noted a 35% increase in patients undergoing abortions at 14 weeks or later.

Dr. Rebecca Cohen, an OB-GYN in Colorado, reported seeing more patients seeking later-term abortions due to delays in finding care. Jillaine St.Michel’s experience underscores these challenges. Living in Idaho, where abortions are banned, St.Michel faced difficulties finding a clinic for her 20-week pregnancy termination due to genetic and developmental issues with the fetus. Eventually, she secured appointments in Denver and Seattle after extensive searching and waiting.

Clinics have attempted to reduce wait times by expanding telehealth services for medication abortions, extending operating hours, and hiring additional staff. However, overcoming individual challenges such as childcare, travel issues, and financial constraints remains difficult.

The Roe reversal has significantly increased travel distances to clinics, with dramatic rises observed in states like Alabama and Texas. St.Michel, a chiropractor, had to travel about 500 miles for her abortion, incurring substantial costs. She later joined a lawsuit advocating for reproductive rights, emphasizing the difficulty most people face in accessing necessary health care under current laws.

The Big Big News Health and Science Department, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, maintains editorial independence in its reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Abortion Delays Post-Roe

More about Abortion Delays Post-Roe

• Roe v. Wade Overview
• Abortion Service Challenges Post-Roe
• Myers Abortion Appointment Availability Survey
• Planned Parenthood Response to Increased Demand
• Impact of State Abortion Laws on Access
• Health and Science Reporting by The Big Big News
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Support for Health Journalism
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Role in Health Reporting