Florida’s implementation of a six-week abortion ban on May 1 has led to a decrease in the number of abortions, though the drop is less pronounced compared to similar restrictions in other states, according to a study released Thursday by the Guttmacher Institute.
The Guttmacher Institute, an organization advocating for abortion access, reported that Florida’s abortion numbers declined by 30% in May compared to the average monthly figures from the first three months of the year. This decrease was slightly more substantial in June, at 35%. Despite the ban’s introduction, these reductions are less severe compared to other states with similar restrictions.
In Georgia, abortions fell by 45% following the implementation of a similar ban in November 2022. South Carolina saw a nearly 80% decrease after its ban took effect in August 2023, and Texas experienced about a 50% drop in abortions after its law was enacted in September 2021. Texas has since adopted a near-total abortion ban. Iowa also has a six-week ban, but enforcement began only in July.
The relatively moderate impact of Florida’s ban may be attributed to the state’s preparedness. According to Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist at Guttmacher, Florida clinics and support networks have been effective in facilitating access to abortion services, including utilizing out-of-state telehealth prescriptions and earlier pregnancy detection. These efforts are part of a broader infrastructure designed to help women navigate legal abortion options despite restrictive laws.
The study also highlights the role of telehealth in providing abortion pills. Some states with Democratic leadership have passed shield laws permitting out-of-state providers to prescribe abortion pills to residents of states with restrictive abortion laws. Prior to the Florida ban, such telehealth prescriptions accounted for approximately 10% of abortions nationwide.
The Guttmacher survey includes data from out-of-state prescriptions but does not account for self-managed abortions or those obtained outside the formal medical system. As a result, the actual number of abortions might be higher than reported.
Florida’s size and geographic location make it a significant player in the abortion landscape. The state, which previously allowed abortions up to 15 weeks, has seen a rise in out-of-state patients seeking abortions. In 2023, about 1 in 11 abortions in Florida involved patients traveling from other states.
The new six-week ban has intensified challenges for women, given Florida’s status as the third-most populous state and its distance from states with more permissive abortion laws. For instance, North Carolina, the closest state with later abortion options, requires a 72-hour waiting period, complicating access for many Florida women.
Michelle Quesada, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, noted that while the organization has prioritized quick appointments and provided gestational dating, some patients are still being turned away. About 600 patients have been referred to other states with Planned Parenthood’s assistance, while 50 patients a week navigate their own paths, which may involve continuing unwanted pregnancies or seeking abortions outside of clinics.
Kelly Flynn, president and CEO of A Women’s Choice, which operates clinics in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia, reported a 50% reduction in abortions at her Jacksonville clinic since the ban’s implementation. She described the ban as “devastating and cruel,” noting that abortion funds are facing reduced donations compared to the aftermath of Roe v. Wade’s overturn.
Overall, while Florida’s six-week abortion ban has led to a decrease in abortion numbers, the impact has been less severe compared to other states with similar restrictions, reflecting both the effectiveness of support networks and ongoing challenges for women seeking abortion services.