Abortion Bans: Costs & Delays
- New research from UC San francisco indicates that individuals in states with abortion bans are more than twice as likely to undergo the procedure later in their pregnancy.
- Researchers at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) at UCSF found that increased travel distances and associated expenses are the primary drivers of these delays.
- Jackson Women's Health Institution ruling, 14 states implemented abortion bans: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Abortion bans are demonstrably increasing both the costs adn delays associated with accessing crucial abortion care, according to a recent UCSF study. The research demonstrates that individuals living in states with abortion bans are more susceptible to later-term procedures, reflecting significant hurdles. Travel times have dramatically increased, along with associated overnight stays and transportation expenditures, further restricting access to timely abortion care. The need for abortion remains.News directory 3 delivers important insights on reproductive health. The data shows second-trimester abortions nearly doubled,and most individuals now seek out-of-state abortion as a direct outcome. Discover what’s next in the evolving landscape of reproductive rights.
Abortion Bans Increase Costs and Delay Care, Study Finds
Updated June 27, 2025
New research from UC San francisco indicates that individuals in states with abortion bans are more than twice as likely to undergo the procedure later in their pregnancy. The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, highlights the growing challenges in accessing timely abortion care following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022.
Researchers at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) at UCSF found that increased travel distances and associated expenses are the primary drivers of these delays. This added complexity can make abortion care more arduous.
Following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Institution ruling, 14 states implemented abortion bans: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The study surveyed 855 individuals from these states between 2022 and 2024, revealing notable changes in abortion access:
- Second-trimester abortions rose from 8% to 17%.
- Travel time increased from 2.8 hours to 11.3 hours, with overnight stays jumping from 5% to 58%. travel costs also surged from $179 to $372.
- 81% of individuals contacting clinics or call centers reported traveling out of state for abortion care after their state implemented a ban. Only 3% carried their pregnancy to term.
“Banning abortion doesn’t eliminate the need; it just forces people to travel farther and wait longer,” said Diana Greene Foster, Ph.D., a UCSF demographer, professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, and the study’s senior author. “As we mark the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision this week,it continues to be clear that abortion bans cause harm.”
“Banning abortion doesn’t eliminate the need; it just forces people to travel farther and wait longer…As we mark the third anniversary of the Dobbs decision this week, it continues to be clear that abortion bans cause harm.”
What’s next
Researchers plan to continue monitoring the impact of abortion bans on access to care and maternal health outcomes, focusing on long-term consequences for individuals and families in affected states.