From 2011 through 2017, abortion rates in nearly all states of the U.S. — and in all Census Regions — declined. The big news is that states where Republicans have successfully restricted abortion access showed no bigger declines than elsewhere. A key factor in the decline is that there were fewer pregnancies nationwide. This according to a study released this week by the Guttmacher Institute.
While the study is complex, the Institute ties the deceased number of pregnancies to improved access to reliable contraception, including long-acting methods. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance plans to cover women’s access to reproductive healthcare and contraceptive medicines. So, thank Obamacare for reducing abortions.
Guttmacher officials emphasized that although Republican-imposed restrictions may not be impacting the overall abortion numbers, they take a toll on people. Requiring travel of hundreds of miles to receive reproductive healthcare and mandating medically unnecessary and invasive procedures have not reduced the abortion rate in spite of Republican claims. In fact, these restrictions are not “pro-life,” they are anti-women’s healthcare.
“Abortion restrictions are coercive and cruel by design and intended to impose a heavy financial and emotional toll,” said Herminia Palacio, the Guttmacher Institute’s president and chief executive.
The U.S. abortion rate falls to lowest level since Roe v. Wade, WAPO
We need a legislature that governs based on facts, not cruelty. Let’s elect Democrats to LD-6 who will support women’s access to healthcare rather than imposing cruel restrictions.
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