By: Amanda Johnson
Since the early 2000’s, many states have been chipping away at the right of choice, creating almost an “underground railroad,”
More abortion restrictions have been passed in the last three years than in the last decade, according to a new report by the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research organization.
From 2011 to 2013, a total of 205 abortion restrictions were enacted in the United States. By comparison, only 189 state abortion restrictions went into effect between 2001 and 2010. The report found that now 27 states are “hostile” to abortion, meaning that they have at least four kinds of major restrictions to legal abortion.
About half of the new abortion restrictions enacted in the last three years fall into four categories: targeted restrictions on abortion providers (TRAP), restrictions on abortion coverage in health insurance plans, bans on abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy and limitations on medication abortion. States also passed mandatory ultrasound requirements, mandatory waiting periods before abortions, parental consent laws and requirements that abortion providers have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
The recent laws create severe burdens on the ability of clinics to keep their doors open. As of this past August, at least 54 abortion clinics have closed or stopped offering the procedure across the country since 2010 according to The Huffington Post’s nationwide survey of state health departments, abortion clinics and local abortion-focused advocacy groups.
This is widening the already existing gap for low-income women trying to legally access the procedure. 1/3 of women seeking abortion services must travel more than 25 miles. Additionally, abortion can cost as much as one month’s rent. Maybe more. New hurdles such as mandatory waiting periods and additional (and unnecessary) medical procedures pile on more costs for women who already face economic challenges. Now, a “medical abortion,” which requires two doses of a pill, requires a second appointment to be able to take the second pill when in the past women were allowed to do this at home. Abortions, a safe a simple medical procedure, can now require up to four separate appointments. This costs more time and money for individuals, who are unlikely to be able to afford it.
Fortunately for many individuals, volunteers and nonprofit organizations are stepping in to help overcome these new hurdles. In some cases, this involves giving women rides to clinics or putting them in hotels for the duration of their appointments. Unfortunately, more hurdles are yet to come. These newest restrictions are just the tip of the iceberg on a broader assault on a woman’s right to choose. It will take the help of more volunteers to ensure that women still have access to a right protected by the 14th amendment.
See how you can help by checking out these links:
http://www.fundabortionnow.org/funds/ACCESS-WHJ
https://www.prochoice.org/get_involved/volunteer_opportunities.html