Ending Roe Was Supposed to Reduce Abortions. It Didn’t. | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the impact of overturning Roe vs. Wade on abortion rates in the US is explored. The episode reveals that the decision to ban abortion in certain states has not led to a decrease in abortions as expected. Instead, it has resulted in an increase in births and a rise in abortions nationwide. The episode also discusses the Biden administration’s regulatory changes that have made abortion more accessible and convenient.

Main Takeaways

Impact of Abortion Bans on Birth Rates

• The data shows that in the 13 states that banned abortion immediately after the Supreme Court decision, births increased.
• About 25% of women who might have expected to end their pregnancies ended up carrying them to term.
• Researchers used economic-style analysis to show that the rising birth rate in these 13 states is linked to the influence of Roe being overturned and the state abortion bans.

Geographic Analysis and Access to Abortion

• Geographic analysis showed that states with longer distances to abortion clinics saw the largest increases in births.
• Financial and logistical hurdles deterred women from having abortions in states with longer travel distances.
• Texas and Mississippi experienced the largest increases in births after abortion bans.
• States with shorter distances to neighboring abortion clinics saw smaller increases in births.
• In Missouri, where the nearest clinic was just two miles away in Illinois, the increase in births was not as significant.

Use of Abortion Pills and Access to Telemedicine

• Women in states with abortion bans are pursuing abortions through other means, such as ordering pills from other countries.
• Researchers found that women in states with abortion bans are using pills as a substitute for travel.
• The Biden administration changed the rules for obtaining abortion pills, making it more accessible.
• The new rules allow abortions through telemedicine, making it less expensive and more convenient.
• This change made abortion less expensive and more convenient, especially for women who didn’t live near an abortion clinic.

Increased Access to Abortions

• Overturning of Roe v. Wade activated fundraising and awareness for abortion rights.
• States with legal abortion have pursued policies to make abortion more accessible and affordable.
• Political reaction to Supreme Court decision led to increased access to abortions in certain states.
• Strategy of trying to overturn Roe v. Wade to reduce abortions has backfired, leading to increased abortions across the country.

Summary

Impact of Abortion Bans on Birth Rates

Data analysis reveals that the ban on abortion in certain states following the overturning of Roe vs. Wade has led to an increase in births. In the first six months of the year, there were about 32,000 more babies born in these states than expected, representing a 2.3% increase compared to states that did not ban abortions. This indicates that approximately 25% of women who might have expected to end their pregnancies ended up carrying them to term. Economic-style analysis further supports the link between the rising birth rate and the influence of Roe being overturned and the state abortion bans.

Geographic Analysis and Access to Abortion

Geographic analysis shows that states with longer distances to abortion clinics experienced the largest increases in births. This suggests that financial and logistical hurdles deterred women from having abortions in these states. Texas and Mississippi, in particular, saw significant increases in births after implementing abortion bans. On the other hand, states with shorter distances to neighboring abortion clinics saw smaller increases in births. For example, in Missouri, where the nearest clinic was just two miles away in Illinois, the increase in births was not as significant.

Use of Abortion Pills and Access to Telemedicine

Women in states with abortion bans have turned to alternative methods, such as ordering pills from other countries, to pursue abortions. Researchers have found that these women are using pills as a substitute for travel. The Biden administration’s regulatory changes have made obtaining abortion pills more accessible. The new rules allow abortions through telemedicine, eliminating the need for women to visit a physical clinic and meet with a doctor in person. This change has made abortion less expensive and more convenient, especially for women who live far from an abortion clinic.

Increased Access to Abortions

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has activated fundraising and awareness for abortion rights. States with legal abortion have implemented policies to make abortion more accessible and affordable. The political reaction to the Supreme Court decision has led to increased access to abortions in certain states. However, the strategy of trying to overturn Roe v. Wade to reduce abortions has backfired, resulting in increased abortions across the country. Additionally, some states have passed laws allowing doctors to mail abortion pills into states with bans, potentially leading to even more abortions nationwide.

Conclusion

The decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade and implement abortion bans in certain states has not led to a decrease in abortions as intended. Instead, it has resulted in an increase in births and a rise in abortions nationwide. Geographic analysis shows that access to abortion plays a significant role in birth rates, with states farther away from abortion clinics experiencing larger increases in births. The Biden administration’s regulatory changes have made abortion more accessible and convenient, contributing to increased access to abortions. The strategy of trying to reduce abortions by overturning Roe v. Wade has ultimately backfired, leading to unintended consequences.