WASHINGTON D.C. — Nearly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a new report indicates that the number of abortions performed across the United States has continued to rise, reaching levels not seen in over a decade. The analysis, released by the Society of Family Planning's #WeCount project, suggests that the increasing accessibility of telehealth services for medication abortion is a significant factor in this surprising trend, even as many states have enacted bans or severe restrictions.

The report, which tracks monthly abortion provision data from a majority of U.S. clinics, hospitals, and virtual care providers, found a sustained increase in procedures since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in June 2022. This upward trajectory defies initial predictions from abortion rights opponents who expected a sharp decline nationally.

The Telehealth Revolution in Abortion Access

A critical driver identified by the #WeCount project is the substantial expansion of telehealth services. Following the Dobbs ruling, which eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, a patchwork of state laws emerged, creating abortion deserts in some regions while allowing expanded access in others. Telehealth has become a vital pathway for individuals in restrictive states to access medication abortion pills via mail, often from providers operating in states with fewer restrictions.

Medication abortion, which involves taking two different pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, has become the most common method of abortion in the U.S. The ability to receive these medications after a virtual consultation has dramatically lowered barriers for many, particularly those who face geographical, financial, or logistical challenges in traveling to an in-person clinic. This model of care has been increasingly adopted, especially by organizations specifically established to navigate the post-Dobbs legal complexities.

Understanding the Landscape: Bans vs. Access

While the national numbers show an increase, the report also underscores a stark divergence in abortion access across states. States with strict bans or gestational limits have seen precipitous drops in abortion services, forcing residents to travel to states where abortion remains legal. The #WeCount project meticulously tracks these interstate movements, highlighting the immense burden placed on individuals seeking care and the providers striving to offer it.

Conversely, states that have codified or expanded abortion protections have experienced an influx of patients, contributing to their higher abortion counts. The rise in telehealth further complicates this picture, as individuals residing in states with bans can still access care from providers based in states where it is legal, often without crossing state lines. The legal implications of this cross-state provision of care are still being debated and challenged in various court systems.

What This Means for Reproductive Rights

The ongoing increase in abortion numbers, fueled by telehealth, indicates the resilience and adaptability of the abortion care landscape in the face of unprecedented legal challenges. It suggests that while Dobbs fundamentally altered the legal framework for abortion, it did not eliminate demand for services. Instead, it shifted the battleground, accelerating innovations in care delivery like telehealth and amplifying the disparities in access based on geography and socioeconomic status.

The report acknowledges that the full "drivers of these trends are unclear, especially in the context of multiple changes in the service delivery environment," suggesting a complex interplay of factors beyond just telehealth, such as economic conditions, contraception access, and public awareness campaigns. However, the data clearly points to a persistent demand for abortion services and the evolving strategies employed by providers and patients to navigate the post-Roe world.

This latest data will likely intensify ongoing legal and political debates surrounding abortion access, particularly regarding the regulation of telehealth and interstate provision of care. As legal challenges continue to unfold and states consider new legislation, the role of virtual care is expected to remain a central point of contention in the fight for reproductive rights.