Study Shows Florida's Six-Week Abortion Ban Leads to Decrease, but Less Dramatic Than in Other States

A study finds that abortions have decreased under Florida's six-week ban, but not as drastically as in other states

Abortions Decrease Under Florida's Six-Week Ban, but Not as Sharply as in Other States, Study Finds

 

When Florida's six-week abortion ban took effect on May 1, the number of abortions decreased but not as dramatically as in other states with similar legislation, according to a new study by the Guttmacher Institute. The research indicates that Florida's clinics, abortion funds, and support networks were better prepared to help women access legal abortions through early detection of pregnancies and telehealth prescriptions for abortion pills from out-of-state providers.

 

This study underscores how women continue to find ways to terminate their pregnancies despite two years of restrictive abortion policies in Republican-controlled states. These restrictions, which began after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, have fueled a wave of abortion bans and restrictions nationwide.

 

According to Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist at Guttmacher, "An infrastructure of abortion funds and support organizations really has come into play to get patients to services as quickly as they can." This level of preparedness has played a crucial role in mitigating the decline in abortion services in Florida.

 

Smaller Decline in Abortions Compared to Other States

 

The Guttmacher Institute used data from both in-person abortion clinics and online abortion providers to estimate that there were 30% fewer abortions in Florida in May than the average of the first three months of 2023. In June, the reduction slightly increased to 35%. By comparison, states like Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas saw steeper declines after implementing similar bans. For example, Georgia experienced a 45% drop in abortions after its six-week ban took effect in November 2022, while South Carolina saw a nearly 80% reduction in August 2023. Texas, which enacted its ban in September 2021, experienced a 50% decrease in abortions, followed by a near-total ban shortly after.

 

The relatively smaller decrease in Florida has been attributed to the availability of legally prescribed abortion pills. Many Democratic-led states have passed so-called "shield laws," allowing providers to prescribe abortion pills via telehealth to women in states with strict bans. As of March, before Florida's ban was implemented, abortion pills obtained through telehealth providers accounted for roughly 10% of all abortions nationwide.

 

These shield laws have yet to be significantly challenged in court, and while the Guttmacher survey includes data on out-of-state telehealth prescriptions, it does not account for individuals who accessed abortions outside the formal medical system, such as those who obtained pills without a prescription.

 

Florida's Critical Role in the U.S. Abortion Landscape

 

As the third most populous state, Florida plays a vital role in the national abortion landscape. After the fall of Roe v. Wade, many Republican-led states implemented near-total abortion bans. Florida's initial law, which prohibited abortions after 15 weeks, was relatively less restrictive, making the state a critical destination for women from nearby states with more stringent laws. According to state data, 1 in 11 abortions in Florida in 2023 involved out-of-state patients.

 

With the new six-week ban in place, women from surrounding states now face even more significant barriers. Florida's geographical location adds another layer of complexity, as the nearest state that allows abortions later in pregnancy, North Carolina, is an 11-hour drive from Miami. North Carolina also imposes a 72-hour waiting period after a patient’s in-person appointment before an abortion can proceed, which makes it a difficult option for many Florida women, especially those facing financial constraints or needing childcare.

 

Planned Parenthood and Other Organizations Step In

 

Michelle Quesada, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida, said that their clinics have been prioritizing rapid appointments, especially for patients nearing the six-week threshold. Staff members have received cross-training on performing ultrasounds to ensure that gestational dating can be completed quickly. However, despite these efforts, many patients still face challenges accessing services.

 

According to Quesada, approximately 600 patients have had to travel out of state for abortions, assisted by Planned Parenthood navigators. Meanwhile, around 50 patients per week are left to navigate the process on their own, which may result in them continuing pregnancies they had not planned or seeking unsafe alternatives.

 

One of the unintended consequences of the law, Quesada notes, is that patients now feel pressured to make rapid decisions about whether to terminate their pregnancies. "Now you have patients coming to us at five weeks, five days, and they literally have 24 hours to decide," she said.

 

**Impact on Clinics and Abortion Funds**

 

Kelly Flynn, president and CEO of A Woman’s Choice, which operates abortion clinics in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia, reported that the number of abortions at their Jacksonville clinic has decreased by at least 50% since the ban took effect. Many of these patients are now being treated at the organization’s clinics in other states. Flynn described the ban as "devastating and cruel" for patients in need of safe abortion care.

 

She also highlighted a significant drop in donations to abortion funds that assist with travel and logistical support. These funds saw an increase in donations immediately after Roe v. Wade was overturned, but that momentum has since dwindled, making it harder to provide the necessary assistance to patients.

 

**Upcoming Referendum on Abortion Rights**

 

Florida is one of nine states where voters will decide in November whether to enshrine the right to abortion in their state constitutions. The proposed amendment in Florida requires a 60% majority to pass, and its outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for the state's residents but also for abortion access across the southern United States.

 

As the debate over reproductive rights continues, Florida remains a focal point, with both advocates and opponents of abortion rights closely watching the upcoming vote.