Abortion in the United States is a controversial issue that has been at the forefront of the national dialogue for decades. Recently, several states have implemented bans on abortions throughout pregnancy, and a new survey has found that the total number of abortions provided in the US rose slightly in the 12 months after these bans were implemented.
The survey, conducted by the Guttmacher Institute, analyzed the number of abortions provided in the US between 2017 and 2018. During this period, seven states implemented bans on abortions after a certain point in pregnancy, ranging from six to 22 weeks. These states are Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Ohio.
The Guttmacher Institute found that the total number of abortions provided in the US rose slightly from 2017 to 2018, from 862,320 to 862,320. While this is a small increase, it is still significant, as it is the first time the number of abortions has increased since 2014. The survey also found that the number of abortions provided in the states that implemented the bans rose slightly, from 7,942 to 8,087.
The survey did not provide any information on why the number of abortions provided in the US rose slightly after the bans were implemented. However, some experts believe that the increase may be due to women seeking abortions in other states that do not have bans in place. This could explain why the number of abortions provided in the states that implemented bans rose slightly, while the number of abortions provided in the US as a whole increased.
It is important to note that the survey findings do not necessarily mean that the bans are having the intended effect of reducing the number of abortions. While the number of abortions provided in the US rose slightly, it is still far lower than it was in 2014. Additionally, the survey did not take into account other factors that could have caused the slight increase, such as changes in access to contraception or the economic climate.
Ultimately, the survey findings suggest that more research is needed to determine why the number of abortions provided in the US rose slightly after the bans were implemented. Until then, it is important to remember that abortion is a complex issue that cannot be reduced to a simple yes or no answer. It is important to recognize the complexities of the issue and to have an open dialogue about how to best ensure access to safe and legal abortion services.
