Why Abortions Rose Even After Roe v. Wade Was Overturned

The 2022 ruling by the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade prompted numerous predictions of a national decrease in abortions and an increase in births. However, in 2023, the number of abortions reported exceeded one million, the highest in a decade. Furthermore, the fertility rate in the United States reached an all-time low.

What was the reason for the failure of abortion rates to decrease as anticipated? NBC News reports that a significant factor contributing to this trend was the increased accessibility of abortion drugs through telemedicine. This became possible after the FDA allowed abortion pills to be prescribed via telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the  Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, eight states enacted laws shielding providers from lawsuits for prescribing drugs to out-of-state patients.

Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, the founder of Aid Access and a Dutch physician, has played a critical role in this transition by sending abortion drugs throughout the United States. "The current landscape provides greater accessibility than it did before Dobbs for individuals who lack the resources to visit clinics," she clarified.

The trend also underscores the tenacity of abortion providers and advocates, who swiftly adjusted to legal obstacles by utilizing telehealth and interstate networks. Despite the proliferation of state-level prohibitions, the availability of abortion services for numerous women has remained consistent as a result of their efforts and logistical advancements.

This unexpected result underscores the intricate dynamics of reproductive health care in post-Roe America.

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