US abortion rates rise three years after Dobbs' new ruling on Roe vs Wade, here's why
Three years after the Supreme Court's
Dobbs decision
overturned
Roe v. Wade
, the U.S. finds itself at the epicenter of a new abortion battle, one that's defying expectations and reshaping the strategies of both
pro-life
and
pro-choice
movements. Despite the pro-life victory in the courts, abortion rates have not dropped; instead, they've remained steady or even increased, raising provocative questions about the true impact of legal bans and the future of reproductive rights in America.
The next big fight for abortion opponents is the organisation Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading provider and advocate of affordable sexual and reproductive health care, operates nearly 600 health centers across the country.
The unexpected rise: Abortion rates defy pro-life predictions
Contrary to pro-life hopes, the number of abortions in the U.S. has not declined post-Dobbs. Recent data from the Charlotte Lozier Institute shows over 1.1 million abortions occurred from July 2023 to June 2024, matching or exceeding pre-Dobbs levels. This estimate, based on the most comprehensive aggregation of clinic, hospital, and virtual provider data, highlights a resilient demand for abortion services even as legal landscapes shift.
Researchers caution, however, that the true number may be even higher, as the U.S. lacks a federal abortion reporting mandate and medication abortions, especially those facilitated by international mail-order, are difficult to track with precision.
The new battlefield: Pills, politics and laws
The unexpected resilience of abortion rates is largely driven by the rise of
medication abortion
. With the FDA's approval for mail-order mifepristone, telehealth and shield laws have enabled access even in states with bans, and up to 20% of abortions in 2024 were provided via telehealth under such protections. This has allowed patients to bypass state restrictions, fueling what pro-life leaders call a "direct assault on the sovereignty of states."
Live Events
Pro-life advocates are now focusing on new priorities in response to these trends. Their big challenges, they say, include weakening Planned Parenthood, by targeting its funding streams. Restricting access to
abortion pills
remains a top objective, as does investing in supportive political candidates and ballot initiatives.
Some pro-life lawmakers believe there is a strong chance of defunding Planned Parenthood through a broader reconciliation bill in Congress, which would block Medicaid funds for organizations performing abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the mother's life.
Planned Parenthood, responding to these legislative moves, warned in a statement after the bill passed the Republican-led House in May that such provisions would cut off funding for a range of services beyond abortion, potentially forcing about 200 of its 600 locations to close. "If this bill passes, people will lose access to essential, often lifesaving care — cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and yes, abortion," the organization said.
Meanwhile, other pro-choice groups are leveraging "shield laws" and ballot initiatives to protect and expand access, turning some states into abortion havens while others enforce near-total bans.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Jagan slams CM Naidu over 'restrictions' during Rentapalla visit
Amaravati, YSRCP supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday questioned Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on why the TDP-led NDA government allegedly imposed restrictions on his recent visit to Rentapalla to ensure that "people would not turn up." Jagan slams CM Naidu over 'restrictions' during Rentapalla visit On June 18, Reddy visited Rentapalla village in Palnadu district to call on the family members of a party leader who had died by suicide a year ago due to alleged "harassment by TDP leaders and police." Though police gave permission for a limited number of vehicles and only about 100 people for this visit, many vehicles joined Reddy's convoy, and thousands of people swarmed all along the way from Tadepalli to Rentapalla. Further, a YSRCP supporter, C Singayya, allegedly fell under a vehicle and died in that melee at Etuku Cross. Guntur district superintendent of police S Satish initially said that Singayya fell under a private vehicle, but not under Reddy's convoy. However, on Sunday night, he said that Singayya was actually "run over" by the vehicle being used by Reddy, leading to the registration of a police case against Reddy and others. Amidst this backdrop, the former CM questioned if the erstwhile YSRCP government had imposed such restrictions during the visits of Naidu and Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan between 2019 and 2024. 'Chandrababu, why did you impose restrictions on my tour to ensure that nobody would turn up? Did we impose these kinds of restrictions when you and Pawan Kalyan were touring?' Reddy asked in a post on 'X'. Reddy questioned why opposition leaders like him are allegedly being stopped from visiting their party workers and expressing solidarity with farmers and citizens. Though he "followed all the rules" and gave prior information about his visit to the authorities, Reddy alleged that the state failed to provide the necessary security arrangements. Reddy emphasised that Z security for a former chief minister is not a favour but a protocol-based right, adding that just as it applied to Naidu in the past, it should apply to anyone in the future. "Why were there no pilot vehicles or rope parties deployed during my visit, which are part of the standard Z security protocol?" asked the YSRCP chief. If the security arrangements were in place, Reddy questioned, "How could anyone have come under his vehicle," and demanded clarity. "Did the government fail to provide security, or is the claim that someone was run over false?" he asked. Alleging that the government did not provide a bulletproof vehicle, which is mandatory under protocol, Reddy said he arranged one for himself at his own expense. Further, the opposition leader referred to Guntur SP's initial statement on Singayya's incident and demanded to know "why the narrative was later changed and politicised." He accused the ruling coalition of using this tragic incident as a distraction from their governance failures. Observing that he had only held a press conference to expose the alleged "unfulfilled promises, corruption, and financial damage done by the current regime," Reddy alleged that the NDA alliance government has launched diversionary tactics instead of responding with accountability. On learning about Singayya's death, Reddy said he immediately instructed his party leaders to provide help, along with ₹ 10 lakh compensation to the victim's family. He reminded that another supporter had also died due to a heart attack during the same tour, and similar support was extended to that family as well. Reddy asserted that these actions show the value he places on his supporters and questioned Naidu's response in similar situations. He criticised the TDP for allegedly spreading lies and questioned their moral authority to speak about humanity and ethics. Moreover, Reddy called on Naidu to mend his ways, act with responsibility, and "stop using political power to suppress the opposition." Meanwhile, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha accused Reddy of continuing his tour even after two people had lost their lives. The police had informed YSRCP leaders that the road was only 10 feet wide and that security could be provided for only 100 people, including his convoy and three vehicles, she said. Despite intelligence reports suggesting that the YSRCP was mobilising cadres, police extended maximum security, keeping in mind Reddy's Z status, said the Home Minister. "No one who commits a crime in the state will escape the law under any circumstances," she added. She further alleged that Reddy's supporter in Rentapalla village had died a year ago due to gambling, questioning the need for his visit. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India Gazette
41 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar pays tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on 91st birth anniversary
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday paid homage to Syama Prasad Mukherjee, saying, 'It's a great day in the history of our nation. One of the finest sons of our soil, today, his Balidan Diwas is Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. Dhankhar further added, 'We suffered from Article 370 for too long. It bled us and the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370 and the draconian Article 35A deprived people of their basic human rights and fundamental rights. We had a visionary Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and a Home Minister in the shoes of Sardar Patel, Amit Shah. Article 370 does not exist now in our Constitution. It was abrogated on 5th August 2019, and the legal challenge to the Supreme Court failed on 11 December 2023. I, therefore, cannot be at a more befitting place than this to pay tribute to one of the finest sons of our soil. My tributes to him.' Addressing the inaugural session of the 99th Annual Meet and National Conference of Vice Chancellors (2024-2025), organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), at Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Dhankhar said, highlighting the National Education Policy, 'I must share with you something which happened after more than 3 decades, that has really changed the landscape of our education. I am referring to the 'National Education Policy' 2020. As governor of the State of West Bengal, I was associated with it. Some major inputs -- in the hands of thousands -- were taken into consideration for the evolution of this policy.' 'The policy resonates with our civilizational spirit, essence, and ethos. It is a bold reaffirmation of India's timeless belief that education is the awakening of the self, not just for the education of skills,' he added. 'I have firmly believed that education is a great equaliser. Education brings about equality as no other mechanism does. Education decimates inequities. As a matter of fact, education gives life to democracy,' he further stated. Congratulating the Government of Uttar Pradesh, he stated, 'My congratulations to the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister has done a great initiative. IT was given 'Industry Status'. That has a huge consequence for positive development. Another aspect for which UP is getting increasingly recognised is at the school education level. The transparency and accountability in administration is becoming a hallmark.' Applauding India's national progress, the Vice-President said, 'India has emerged as a land of opportunity, of entrepreneurship, of startups, of innovation, of unicorns. In every parameter where growth and development can be gauged, we are rising.' On the role of universities, the Vice-President emphasised, 'Our universities are not meant to just hand out degrees. The degrees must carry great weightage. Universities must be sanctuaries of ideas and ideation, crucibles of innovation. These places have to catalyse big change.' 'That responsibility lies on the Vice-Chancellors in particular and the academia in general. I appeal to you, there must be space for disagreement, debate, dialogue and discussion. That is how the mind cells are activated. Abhivyakti, Vaad Vivaad, Anant Vaad -- these are inalienable facets of our civilisation, of our democracy.' Highlighting India's potential to lead in knowledge domains, he said, 'When you look around the world, you'll understand its significance. The state of education defines not only the state of academics, but the state of the nation. We cannot remain perpetual students of Western innovation when our demographic dividend position says, as the world's knowledge epicenter.' 'And when we look back in our ancient history, we are reminded of our rich past. It is time Bharat must build world-class institutions, not just to teach, but to pioneer. These are not mere disciplines. These are levers of assurance of our sovereignty in all times to come.' Calling for equitable expansion of higher education, the Vice-President observed, 'A lot of our institutions have remained brown-field. Let us fall in line with the global groove -- let's go green. Greenfield institutions alone bring about equitable distribution. There is clusterization in metros and Tier 1 cities. Many regions remain untouched.' 'Let's go in for greenfield institutions in such areas. Vice Chancellors are not only the watchdogs, but also impregnable bulwarks against the commodification and commercialisation of education. One of our fundamental objectives is to ensure affordability, reach, and accessibility of quality education for ordinary people.' Concluding his address with a call to establish leadership in emerging domains, the Vice-President asserted, 'Establish institutions of uncompromising excellence in emerging domains -- artificial intelligence, climate change, climate technology, quantum science, digital ethics -- then Bharat will lead, others will follow. That's a challenge.' 'Education is not just for the public good. It is our most strategic national asset. It is integrally connected not only with our development journey in infrastructure or otherwise, it assures national security also.' 'Friends, I am before academicians and therefore I will reveal my thought process a little more critically for your analysis. Impossible choices define our character and strength. We must not take the easy route. Impossible choices define that we really have a great inheritance. Taking the easy path is getting into mediocrity, and then into irrelevance and insignificance.' 'Universities are crucibles to generate such choices. They prepare minds. They prepare people to be intrepid -- to go in for impossible choices.' Sunil Kumar Sharma, Minister for IT and Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Education and Research Group; Vinay Kumar Pathak, President, AIU; and Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, AIU, and other dignitaries were also present. (ANI)
Indian Express
42 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Statistics ministry to conduct first-ever household income survey in 2026
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will conduct the first-ever Household Income Survey in 2026, with a Technical Expert Group (TEG) being set up to guide the ministry on the method of estimation and other aspects of the survey. In addition to measuring household income, the proposed survey will also try to assess the impact of adoption of technology on wages, the statistics ministry said on Monday. The survey will be MoSPI's latest attempt to measure household income in India, with pilots conducted in the past not resulting in a nationwide survey due to difficulties in collecting reliable income data, the ministry said. These past attempts date back to the 1950s, when it tried to collect information on income as part of its consumer expenditure surveys on an experimental basis. Further attempts were made in the 1960s as part of the Integrated Household Survey. 'However, these efforts were not continued as it was found that the estimates of income were lower than the estimates of consumption and savings put together,' MoSPI said. In the 1980s, it was again explored if it was operationally feasible to collect household income data, but it did not lead to a national survey. 'Recently, NSS (National Sample Survey) has taken a number of initiatives to plug-in the data gaps in different spheres of social and economic interests… The household income survey is another important initiative of the Ministry to generate vital information for deriving income distribution and welfare thereof,' MoSPI said. It added that there was an 'urgent need' for a dedicated income distribution survey 'to better understand the profound structural changes that have occurred in the Indian economy over the past 75 years'. According to MoSPI's latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, India's per capita gross national income in 2024-25 was Rs 2.31 lakh in current prices, up 8.7 per cent from 2023-24. Surjit Bhalla-led expert group The expert group constituted on Monday will be chaired by economist Surjit Bhalla, formerly India's Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund and a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. In addition to Bhalla and officials from MoSPI and other government ministries, the expert group comprises of Aloke Kar, former professor at Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, Sonalde Desai of National Council of Applied Economic Research, Praveen Jha from Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Srijit Mishra from University of Hyderabad's School of Economics, National Stock Exchange of India Chief Economist Tirthankar Patnaik, People Research on India's Consumer Economy Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Rajesh Shukla, and Ram Singh, Director of Delhi School of Economics and an external member of the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee. 'The Expert Group will provide guidance with regard to finalisation of concepts and definitions, preparation of the survey method and instruments, sampling design and method of estimation, and incorporate best country practices as adopted across the world… The TEG will also provide guidance for finalisation of the survey results and report for release,' MoSPI said. MoSPI, over the last couple of years, has conducted a variety of surveys to shed light on different parts of the Indian economy in addition to the regular ones that are used to compile key macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, Consumer Price Index, and Index of Industrial Production. These include annual surveys on unincorporated enterprises, the service sector, a forward-looking survey on private sector capital expenditure, and domestic travel and tourism, among others. Last month, the ministry released the result of its maiden monthly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which had so far been conducted only on a quarterly basis for urban areas and annually for rural areas. The revamped monthly PLFS also seeks details about households' usual monthly income from rent, pension, interest, and remittances. However, the findings related to these details have so far not been released. Some of the key surveys whose results will be released over the next few months include the Annual Survey of Industries for 2023-24 and Household Social Consumption: Health. Siddharth Upasani is a Deputy Associate Editor with The Indian Express. He reports primarily on data and the economy, looking for trends and changes in the former which paint a picture of the latter. Before The Indian Express, he worked at Moneycontrol and financial newswire Informist (previously called Cogencis). Outside of work, sports, fantasy football, and graphic novels keep him busy. ... Read More
