Since the decision of the US Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson – Women’s Health Organization– the overthrown Roe v. Wade and a chaotic and devastating picture emerged regarding access to abortion – the number of out-of-state patients I have treated as an abortion doctor in Maryland has skyrocketed.
Currently, 14 states ban abortion entirely, and seven more have restrictions on abortion care, including bans after six weeks of pregnancy, long before many women know they are pregnant or are ready to make a decision about their pregnancy. As a result, more than 171,000 women traveled to other states for abortion care in 2023, and it’s likely that even more tried and failed to overcome the barriers.
It pains me to think of all the patients who cannot make it to the health center and overcome the countless hurdles to get the abortion care they need outside of their state.
Power to Decide’s AbortionFinder site has recorded Dobbs Decision. Many of the individuals who were able to get the abortion they wanted had to overcome costly hurdles such as lost work, travel, and child care, in addition to the cost of the appointment. The patients I see, however, are the ones who have overcome all of these obstacles to get the basic health care they need. People have fought through all kinds of hurdles to get to the health center where I see patients—I’ve seen people from as far away as Texas and Florida—doing whatever they can to get to a state where they can get an abortion. It pains me to think of all the patients who can’t make it to the health center, who can’t overcome the myriad hurdles to get the abortion care they need outside of their state.
It is undoubtedly clear that the decision in Dobbs has increased the barriers to access to abortion and other forms of sexual and reproductive health care. This is also reflected in the Dobbs Decision is that roe was never enough. The sad reality is that even before the repeal roeThe existence of has not ensured adequate access to abortion for all. Those who are unable to use the “protection” of roe were and still are those among us who have been most marginalized historically.
Barriers to coverage, such as the harmful Hyde Amendment, and medically unnecessary restrictions such as waiting periods and mandatory ultrasounds make abortion unaffordable for many people – especially people of color, young people, and those on low incomes. In a post-roe Globally, these communities continue to face these barriers disproportionately. For example, the majority of Black women ages 15 to 49 live in a state where abortion is banned or threatened with restrictions.
What also becomes clear from the Dobbs Decision is that ‘roe‘ was never enough.
Although it will be many years before we see the effects of Dobbs Decision, it is already clear that denying access to abortion care has negative consequences. According to the Turnaway study, people who are denied abortion suffer greater economic hardship than those who can get an abortion. Those affected also struggle with negative psychological and physical effects on their health. Although clear abortion bans can negatively affect physical, psychological and economic well-being, Mr Dobbs, Anti-abortion activists and politicians continue to push for further restrictions on abortion care.
While the current situation is grim, there is still hope. AbortionFinder and other resources can help people find the care and support services they need, no matter where they live. Amid chaos and confusion, AbortionFinder, available in both English and Spanish, provides millions of people across the United States with access to trusted, vetted abortion providers and support resources at a time when they need this information most.
Now more than ever, we must ensure that all resources are accessible and available to those seeking care during this time.Dobbs Landscape. As a provider, I know that in our fight to ensure that every person gets the reproductive health care they need, we must focus on the needs of those who never make it to me. For them, it is not enough to roewe have to imagine something better and bolder.
Editor’s note: For those seeking an abortion or abortion pills and need help, there are several organizations and resources:
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