Context:

In 2024, tens of thousands of women in the United States were compelled to travel across state lines for abortion services due to restrictive laws resulting from the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which revoked the federal right to abortion. This legal shift led to a fragmented landscape where states like Texas saw residents traveling to New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado for procedures, while Florida's new restrictions drove a significant increase in travel to North Carolina and further north. Illinois became a vital access point, welcoming over 35,000 out-of-state residents, supported by investments in expanded clinic hours and telehealth services. Telehealth abortion services, bolstered by shield laws, became increasingly significant, though funding shortfalls challenged the availability of travel support for those needing care. Despite the increase in telehealth services, overall interstate travel for abortions slightly decreased by 9% from the previous year, highlighting both the challenges and adaptations within the reproductive healthcare system.

Dive Deeper:

• Gracie Ladd's experience highlights the personal impact of restrictive abortion laws, as she had to travel more than 100 miles from Wisconsin to Chicago for a procedure due to a 175-year-old Wisconsin law that banned abortion at the time, despite the severe fetal condition threatening her health.

• The Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court created a disparate abortion care landscape, with 155,000 people traveling out of state for procedures in 2024, a figure more than double that of 2019, as many states enacted total bans pushing residents to seek care elsewhere.

• Florida, initially a key access point post-Dobbs, saw a drastic reduction in out-of-state abortions following the imposition of a six-week ban in May 2024, leading to a rise in travel to North Carolina, Virginia, and New York for those seeking services.

• Illinois emerged as a crucial access hub, drawing over 35,000 out-of-state residents due to its supportive stance, investment in abortion funding, and the establishment of new clinics with flexible schedules, accommodating those traveling long distances.

• Telehealth abortion services have risen significantly, with 1 in 4 abortions provided through such means by the end of 2024, though this expansion faces potential threats from anti-abortion extremists aiming to restrict telehealth access.

• Despite the increase in telehealth services, financial constraints have reduced available funding for travel-related abortion support, with Illinois organizations unable to maintain previous levels of assistance, impacting the overall accessibility of care.

• Overall, the number of people traveling for abortions decreased by 9% compared to 2023, indicating a complex interplay of increased telehealth access, funding challenges, and evolving state policies affecting reproductive healthcare access.