New Data on Abortion Bans Shows Alarming Spike

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, a new 2019 State Abortion Restriction Snapshot, released by the Guttmacher Institute and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, shows proposed six-week abortion bans  —  like the ban signed by Mississippi’s governor last week — have increased by an alarming 63 percent compared to last year. It’s clear that with allies in President Trump and Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh, anti-women’s health care politicians are advancing a strategy to ban abortion nationwide. In fact, 25 million women of reproductive age in America could lose access to abortion if Roe is overturned. This includes more than 4.3 million Hispanic or Latino women, nearly 3.5 million Black or African American women, more than 800,000 Asian women, and nearly 300,000 American Indian or Alaska Native women of reproductive age (see US Census). This is despite the fact that support for Roe v. Wade is at its highest level on record -- 73% of Americans say they do not want to see Roe overturned.

Because they are so unpopular, these unprecedented attacks during state legislative session have triggered a counter response from constituents and reproductive health care champions who see the urgent need for policies that protect and expand access to abortion. Advocates in more than half of the states are pushing for policies that ensure reproductive health care — including safe, legal abortion — remains accessible no matter what happens in Washington, DC.

Statement by Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

Today, the reality we live in is a terrifying one for women around the country.  Access to abortion care is disappearing in states, forcing women to travel hundreds of miles for health care or to go without health care completely. Restrictions on abortion have already shuttered health centers and left people in entire regions of the country without access to reproductive health care services, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, abortion care, and STD and HIV testing. The politicians pushing these dangerous policies are directly interfering with medical practice and endangering women’s lives. Abortion is a safe, legal medical procedure that nearly 1 in 4 women will have in their lifetime. Those of us who work to protect women’s health and rights must aggressively push for policies that protect and expand reproductive health access in the states, which are the critical backstop to protecting safe, legal abortion. Planned Parenthood will not sit by and watch our rights and freedoms taken away. For us, it’s about our patients’ lives – and all of our futures.

Elizabeth Nash, Senior State Issues Manager, Guttmacher Institute:

Energized by a new Supreme Court, anti-abortion activists and politicians have kicked into high gear their decades-long agenda to ban abortion through a series of increasingly radical and dangerous abortion bans. At their core, abortion restrictions are about exerting control and power over pregnant people. The surge in attempts to ban abortion in the earliest stages of pregnancy drives home that the end goal of anti-abortion politicians and activists is to ban all abortion—at any point during pregnancy and for any reason.

The 2019 Abortion Restriction Snapshot shows:

• Proposed bans on abortion before many people know they are pregnant skyrocketed by 63%. And nearly half of all abortion restrictions introduced this year have been abortion bans.
• Seven states have proposed total bans on abortion: CO, IN, MO, MS, OK, TX, WA
• Six states have proposed “trigger bans” on abortion which take effect if Roe were to be overturned: AR, GA, KY, MO, TN, TX
  • Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson was the first to sign this bill into law this year.
  • Just yesterday, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin followed, signing the trigger ban into law. 
• Right now, over 250 bills restricting abortion have been filed in the majority of state legislatures and dangerous new bills are being filed every day.
• Six states are down to one abortion provider: KY, MO, MS, ND, SD, WV

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.