Illinois has seen the highest number of out-of-state patients who live in bordering states with strict bans.
Since the Supreme Court reversed the Roe v. Wade ruling in 2022, the number of persons traveling out of state for abortions has doubled, News Nation reports. The Guttmacher Institute found close to 1 in 5 abortion patients traveled out of state during Q1 and Q2 of 2023 in comparison to 1 in 10 during the same time in 2020. States that saw the largest increases in out-of-state patients include Illinois, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, and Ohio — some of which have passed stricter abortion laws or have had them banned.
Some states have made heavy exceptions, such as when the well-being of the mother is jeopardized and for victims of rape, activists continue to advocate to clear up the loopholes that patients face as hospitals are apprehensive about moving forward with procedures. Colorado and New Mexico allow abortions with no restrictions based on gestational age. Ohio requires counseling before a person is allowed to abort, up to 22 weeks.
According to ABC News, Illinois has seen the largest increase in patients traveling from other states. The state allows abortion up to the point of fetal viability, normally seen around 23 weeks of pregnancy. It is surrounded by Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri, where abortion is banned.
“Illinois is bordered by three states that ban abortion as well as the restrictive states of Iowa and Wisconsin — in 2020, 21% of the abortions that occurred in Illinois were to people coming from out of state; this increased to 42% in the first six months of 2023,” Guttmacher Principal Research Scientist Rachel Jones said.
The data also showed the impact of bans going into effect, like in South Carolina. In the formal healthcare system, the number of abortions went down 79% — going from 750 in August 2023 to 160 — just one month after the state enforced a ban after six weeks gestation.
Abortion has been the topic of conversation and a strong bullet point during the 2024 presidential campaigns. Republican candidates, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have discussed being open to compromise on the issue. In contrast, other Republican leaders continue to push for a ban on a national level.
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