‘There’s no place to go’: providers see more abortions later in pregnancy as bans spread in US
Patients are showing up ‘later and sicker’ for abortion care as more US states adopt bans and significant restrictions Providers are seeing more patients in need of abortions later in pregnancy as abortion bans and restrictions proliferate in US states, all while access to insurance falls. Those bans and restrictions have also meant that later abortion care access has grown over the past decade…
As abortion bans and restrictions spread across the United States, providers are witnessing more patients seeking abortions later in pregnancy. These individuals often face significant challenges in accessing care, with costs and availability decreasing the further along the pregnancy progresses. Diane Horvath, co-founder of the only all-trimester clinic in the U.S., Partners in Abortion Care, notes that patients are arriving "later and sicker," requiring more extensive and expensive procedures.
In states where abortion bans are in place, more than 20 million people have lost Medicaid coverage and between 3 to 5 million individuals have lost or dropped their insurance through Affordable Care Act exchanges. This has left many patients unable to afford later abortions, which can cost up to $22,000. Alisha Dingus, executive director of the DC Abortion Fund, explained that the rising costs and decreasing availability create substantial barriers to accessing abortion care.
The challenges increase as the pregnancy advances, with only four states and Washington D.C. offering all-trimester care to all patients. For those in need, the decision to seek later abortion care is often a complex one, driven by various factors such as fetal health, personal circumstances, or abusive relationships. Horvath emphasizes that medical decisions should be left to the patient and their healthcare provider, not politicians or government officials.
While many abortion supporters acknowledge the need for later abortion care, there is still stigma surrounding the topic. In response to this, Partners in Abortion Care has stopped accepting Medicaid for later abortions due to reimbursement issues, despite providing support through various abortion funds. This highlights the ongoing struggle to ensure access to safe and affordable abortion care for all who need it, regardless of the stage of pregnancy.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
