Abortion Legislation in States Across the US

Since the Supreme Court struck down the landmark case of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which guaranteed people the right to abortion, a series of restrictive abortion laws that codify, regulate and limit how, when, under what circumstances, and whether a person may obtain an abortion have been proposed in the Replublican-led states of America.

Many states in the US have strict abortion laws and restrict the ability to get a safe abortion. However, this does not mean people stop needing an abortion. It does nothing to reduce the number of people wanting an abortion, it only leads to unsafe abortion procedures. An unsafe abortion, according to the definition of WHO refers to a procedure carried out by an inexperienced person or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards or both. Unsafe abortions can have a dangerous impact not only on your reproductive system but your entire health. The results could also be fatal.

Abortion is one of the safest procedures. There are two common ways of terminating a pregnancy: in-clinic abortion or through an abortion kit like the MTP Kit. Both are safe ways of ending a pregnancy when performed by an experienced professional. Medical abortion kits are available online. According to CDC’s data, one person dies in every 100,000 legal abortions conducted by an experienced professional. Mishaps happen only when the procedure has too many complications like infection, perforation of the uterus, or heavy bleeding. Abortions in the first trimester are particularly safe. It does not a person’s fertility or the ability to conceive in the future unless there are abortions.

States that have introduced legislation banning abortion

According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights, abortion bans have been introduced in 31 states in 2022. These bans have been passed in at least one of the chambers of seven states namely Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Out of these seven states, six of them have enacted these laws, they include Florida, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Arizona, Idaho, and Wyoming.

In the month of April, Florida decided to sign legislation that prohibited most people from getting an abortion after 15 weeks. This restricts people’s access to safe, legal procedures. The legislation contains exceptions only in cases where an abortion is absolutely necessary to save the life of the mother or prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

Oklahoma too approved a severe legislation that prohibited abortion after six weeks, this drastically reduces the access to safe abortion for people seeking one. Most people do not realize they are pregnant within six weeks. There is a growing anti-abortion sentiment across the South states.

States that support abortion laws

With the future of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton unclear, many states have made their stand clear by supporting the right to abortion. Around 30 states and the District of Columbia are considering measures that protect and expand the right to abortion. There are already laws prevalent in 16 states and the District of Columbia that protect the right to abortion and making it more accessible to people.

Some states have gone further and made amendments to the State Constitution that would guarantee the right to abortion like Vermont. Lawmakers in Connecticut too approved a bill that would expand the medical field of people who can perform certain types of abortions. This staff would go beyond doctors, which includes nurse-midwives, physician assistants, and other medical professionals.

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These laws seek to safeguard abortion rights and shield abortion providers and patients from lawsuits initiated by states that have banned or plan to ban abortion, even outside their own borders. California plans to be a “refuge” state for women seeking abortions. It has a package of bills that would make it easier for people to access abortion services and for abortion providers to be paid.

Which states have the highest number of abortions?

According to a 2017 census of abortion providers conducted by the Guttmacher Institute, the highest share of abortions was performed in California, at 15.4 percent, followed by New York State, with 12.2 percent, and then Florida with 8.2 percent. They are also the most-populated states, along with Texas.

Takeaway

Abortion is a basic healthcare right of every person with a reproductive capacity. Around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. Lack of access to safe, affordable, timely, and respectful options can endanger not only your reproductive health but also your life. Inaccessibility to comprehensive abortion care contributes to 4.7–13.2% of maternal deaths every year. But access to legal abortion producers is a heated topic in most countries, especially in the States where laws remain divided. Misinformation about abortion and strict laws restrict this basic human healthcare right for those with reproductive capacity.