‘There’s no place to go’: providers see more abortions later in pregnancy as bans spread in US
Patients are showing up ‘later and sicker’ for abortion care as more US states adopt bans and significant restrictions
TL;DR
- Abortion bans and restrictions in US states are causing patients to seek abortions later in pregnancy.
- This trend results in patients arriving 'later and sicker,' needing more complex reproductive healthcare.
- Access to later abortion care has grown in a few 'haven' states and cities over the past decade.
- Over 41 states have abortion bans or significant restrictions.
- Millions of people have lost Medicaid or Affordable Care Act coverage, increasing financial barriers to care.
- The cost of abortions rises significantly later in pregnancy, creating financial gaps for patients.
- Later abortion patients are disproportionately young, below the poverty line, and in healthcare deserts.
- Only clinics in four states and Washington D.C. offer all-trimester care to all patients.
- Providers like Partners in Abortion Care and DuPont Clinic offer comprehensive, trauma-informed care.
- Reasons for later abortions are diverse, including new health information, job loss, or late diagnosis.
- Pregnancy is considered riskier than abortion at any stage.
- Legal barriers and difficulty securing funding force patients to wait longer, sometimes traveling to multiple states.
- Abortion funds are experiencing increased demand and larger funding gaps.
- Providers are focusing on patient autonomy, respecting decisions without political interference.
- Despite financial challenges, clinics are working with abortion funds to support patients.