Increasing Abortion Delays in the U.S. Following Roe v. Wade Reversal

The United States has witnessed a notable rise in abortion delays since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision was overturned. This shift in access to abortion services has had profound consequences for individuals seeking these procedures, particularly as pregnancies progress.

One striking case involves a woman facing the devastating reality that her fetus had little chance of survival. She contacted more than a dozen abortion clinics, desperately searching for one that could accommodate her, only to find herself placed on waiting lists spanning weeks. Similarly, a teenager endured a seven-week wait for an abortion because it took her mother that long to secure an appointment. Others faced delays due to the sheer challenge of traveling vast distances to access care, especially as pregnancies advanced.

The landscape for abortion access in the U.S. has been significantly altered, with approximately half of the states enacting laws that either ban or severely restrict abortion services. Consequently, many clinics no longer offer these procedures, intensifying the demand for appointments at the remaining providers.

Data collected through a survey led by Middlebury College economics professor Caitlin Myers, conducted periodically, reveals that at various points following Roe v. Wade, wait times in several states stretched to two or three weeks, and some clinics had no available appointments. Although wait times have somewhat improved, individuals continue to face additional challenges, such as logistical planning, financial constraints, time off work, and securing childcare.

Dr. Daniel Grossman, an OB-GYN at the University of California, San Francisco, who co-authored a research report on the subject, explains that these factors contribute to a vicious circle of delays. Additionally, some individuals may miss the window for medication abortions, which are generally not offered past 10 to 11 weeks gestation. As pregnancies progress into the second trimester, the procedure becomes more complex and costly, ranging from up to $800 in the first trimester to $2,000 or more in the second trimester.

The surge in demand for abortion services has led to the closure of at least 66 clinics in 15 states in the 100 days following the Roe v. Wade reversal, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The need to travel out of state lies at the core of abortion delays. For instance, Planned Parenthood clinics in Colorado, New Mexico, and southern Nevada saw a significant increase in out-of-state patients, while the health center in Fairview Heights, Illinois, experienced a 715% rise in patients from outside Illinois or Missouri.

The Myers Abortion Appointment Availability Survey, which contacted over 700 facilities across the U.S., found that 11 states had median appointment wait times of more than five business days, with Iowa having the longest wait at 12 business days. While efforts to streamline appointments have helped reduce wait times, individual challenges like childcare issues, canceled travel plans, and financial constraints remain obstacles for many.

One alarming trend is the increasing number of abortions being performed in the second trimester. While it is difficult to establish a direct link between delays and this trend, providers report a rise in patients seeking abortions later in pregnancy. The complexity and risks associated with later-term abortions underscore the urgency of addressing these delays.

As the U.S. grapples with the evolving landscape of abortion access, the impact of these delays on individuals seeking reproductive care remains a pressing concern. The challenges they face in navigating a changing legal landscape, traveling long distances, and enduring delays highlight the need for continued attention and advocacy in the realm of reproductive healthcare.

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More about Abortion Delays

• The Big Big News – Health and Science Department
• Guttmacher Institute