In the wake of the Dobbs decision, abortion clinics across America are facing a steep decline, with 14 states now classified as “abortion free.”
At a Glance
- 29 abortion clinics closed in 2024, according to Operation Rescue’s survey
- 14 states are now classified as “abortion free”
- Mail-order chemical abortion pills are on the rise
- States are diverging in their legislative approaches to abortion
- The number of abortion clinics has been declining for over 30 years
Declining Abortion Facilities and “Abortion Free” States
Two and a half years after the landmark Dobbs decision, the landscape of abortion access in America continues to shift dramatically. The 2024 Operation Rescue survey reveals a persistent decline in abortion clinics across the United States, with 29 facilities shutting their doors in the past year alone. This trend has led to the classification of 14 states as “abortion free,” marking a significant change in the availability of abortion services nationwide.
“There is no doubt that abortion facilities are struggling to survive in this post-Roe environment,” Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said.
The survey also noted that 20 facilities have ceased seeing patients in person during 2024, further limiting physical access to abortion services. This decline is part of a longer-term trend, with the number of abortion clinics falling from 2,176 in 1991 to just 667 in 2024.
As traditional clinics face challenges, there has been a noticeable shift towards mail-order chemical abortion pills. This trend is partly driven by difficulties in securing and retaining abortionists, leading many facilities to opt for remote consultations and medication-based procedures. The rise of these alternatives highlights the adaptability of the abortion industry in the face of legislative and societal changes.
Legislative Divergence Among States
The post-Dobbs era has seen a widening gap in state-level abortion legislation. States classified as “abortion free” have implemented stringent protections for unborn life, typically from conception to birth, with rare exceptions. Meanwhile, four states have passed “heartbeat” laws, which protect life from the detection of a fetal heartbeat, usually around six weeks of gestation.
This legislative divergence underscores the complex and evolving nature of abortion rights and access across the country. The report also highlights recent electoral defeats of three radical abortion amendments, suggesting a potential shift in public opinion on the issue.
It’s a huge win for conservatives, and for life.
Impact on Planned Parenthood and Funding
The Operation Rescue survey examines Planned Parenthood’s market share and changes in its taxpayer funding over the years. As the largest provider of abortion services in the United States, Planned Parenthood’s operations and funding remain a focal point in the ongoing abortion debate.
Despite the dramatic declines in access post-Dobbs in states with abortion bans or severe restrictions, the national monthly abortion volume remains high.
"Even when a state bans abortion, people continue to need and seek abortion care."@SocietyFPhttps://t.co/M2TsF2ynEm
— Doctors for America (@drsforamerica) March 1, 2024
Despite the overall decline in abortion facilities, the total number of clinics saw only a slight decrease from 670 in 2023 to 667 in 2024. This relatively small change suggests that while some areas are seeing significant reductions in abortion access, others may be maintaining or even expanding their services.
As the abortion landscape continues to evolve post-Dobbs, it’s clear that the debate is far from settled. The trends identified in the Operation Rescue survey – declining clinic numbers, the rise of chemical abortions, and diverging state laws – paint a picture of a nation still grappling with the complexities of abortion “rights” and access.
