In a landmark decision two years ago, the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion that had been guaranteed for nearly five decades under Roe v. Wade. This decision, in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, left a patchwork of access to abortion in states across the country. Since then, nearly a third of states have implemented near-total bans on the procedure, while access to abortion has been severely restricted in a handful of others.
Despite these new restrictions, the number of abortions that occurred within the formal healthcare system rose by 11% from 2020 to 2023, according to findings from the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion rights research group. States that border those with near-total bans saw the most significant spikes in abortions. Illinois, New Mexico, Virginia, and North Carolina experienced the sharpest jumps, as new routes to access abortion services take shape in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision.
The political landscape around abortion has also shifted significantly since the Supreme Court’s ruling. Abortion has become a key political issue, driving voters to the polls in various elections. Democrats are working to ensure that the upcoming November election is no different, increasingly placing blame on Republicans for the unraveling of the right to abortion. Former President Donald Trump has been singled out for appointing three justices to the high court who helped solidify the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
President Biden has been vocal in his criticism of Trump, attributing the current abortion restrictions to his actions. Biden stated, “Donald Trump is the sole person responsible for this nightmare. This is a man who brags about overturning Roe v. Wade, has called for women who access reproductive health care to be punished, and says he would rule as a dictator on day one. If given the chance, there is no question he will ban abortion nationwide, with or without the help of Congress.”
In response, Trump has defended his stance on abortion, referring to himself as the “most pro-life president.” He has pledged to leave the issue up to the states should he return to office. Trump stated in a video posted on Truth Social in April, “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land. In this case, the law of the state.”
The status of abortion restrictions varies widely across the United States. A map showing the current status of abortion access in all 50 states reveals a complex landscape of differing regulations and bans. Some states have implemented stringent restrictions, while others continue to uphold the right to access abortion services.
The ongoing debate surrounding abortion rights has sparked significant activism and advocacy efforts on both sides of the issue. Proponents of abortion rights are fighting to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare, while opponents are pushing for further restrictions and bans on the procedure.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the future of abortion rights in the United States remains uncertain. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has had far-reaching implications, leading to a wave of new restrictions and regulations on abortion access. The upcoming November election is expected to be a crucial moment in the ongoing battle over reproductive rights, with both sides mobilizing to shape the future of abortion policy in the country.
