New Poll Reinforces What We Already Know: Americans Overwhelmingly Support Access to Emergency Abortion Care

WASHINGTON DC — As we await a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court in a critical case about federal protections for emergency abortion care, recent research conducted by Morning Consult highlights widespread concern about abortion access and demonstrates there is overwhelming support for emergency medical care for pregnant patients — including abortion care.

The poll underscores the public's strong stance on protecting access to essential health care, including abortion care in cases of emergencies.

• Nearly seven out of ten (69%) adults are concerned about access to abortion in our country, including 56% of people who identify as conservative.
• By a 61-point margin, adults overwhelmingly support the existing federal law requiring hospital emergency rooms to provide emergency stabilizing medical care, including abortion — with 63% of people who identify as conservative and 72% of people who identify as moderate in agreement.
• A strong majority of adults are concerned about potential outcomes if the U.S. Supreme Court were to rule that hospital emergency rooms are no longer required to provide emergency care to all pregnant patients. This includes people being concerned about their loved ones:
  • Being denied emergency care when experiencing pregnancy complications (80% concerned)
  • Not having doctors who can use their best professional judgment to manage pregnancy-related medical emergencies (79% concerned)
  • Being forced to continue a risky pregnancy against medical advice (79% concerned)
  • Risking health or death to travel to another state or country for necessary abortion care (75% concerned)
  • Becoming pregnant due to it being dangerous with the limited options for managing a pregnancy-related medical emergency (74% concerned)

These findings were released following oral arguments in a case in which the U.S. Supreme Court will determine if medical providers in hospital emergency rooms can provide emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to pregnant patients experiencing dire medical emergencies — even in states that have bans that conflict with the federal EMTALA law.

The poll was conducted by Morning Consult from April 12-14, 2024, among a sample of 2,204 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, gender, race, educational attainment, region, gender by age, and race by educational attainment. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. The poll was commissioned by PPFA.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.