A Preview of the Dangerous Future of Abortion Bans — Texas Senate Bill 8

Arey, Whitney; Lerma, Klaira; Beasley, Anitra; Harper, Lorie M.; Moayedi, Ghazaleh; White, Kari

doi:10.1056/nejmp2207423

Cited by 74 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Timely care is often important when pregnancies face complications, so maternal mortality rates will increase if miscarriage management, treatment for ectopic pregnancies, and induced abortions required to save pregnant people's lives are regularly delayed as physicians consult governing boards and lawyers. Very recent evidence from Texas' early abortion ban indicates that patients delay care-seeking because of concerns about prosecution for pregnancy outcomes and health care providers change how they manage miscarriage and post-abortion complications to protect themselves from legal liabilities (Arey et al 2022).…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The maternal mortality consequences of losing abortion access

Stevenson¹,

Root²,

Menken³

2022

Preprint

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We update estimates of the maternal mortality impact of no abortions occurring in the U.S. following the recent release of new national and state abortion incidence data for 2020. This estimate quantifies the increase in maternal deaths that would occur after a total abortion ban solely due to the greater mortality risk of continuing pregnancy to term compared to having an abortion. We estimate the number of additional U.S. maternal deaths by race/ethnicity that would be caused if no abortion occurred, following previously published procedures and using published 2020 statistics on maternal mortality, births, and abortions. After the first year of no abortion occurring, we estimate increased exposure to the risks of pregnancy would cause an increase of 210 maternal deaths per year (24% increase), from 861 to 1071. The increase would be greatest among non-Hispanic Black people, for whom it would be 39%. We also estimate, by state, the number of additional maternal deaths caused by no abortion occurring in the 26 U.S. states that either have banned or the Guttmacher Institute estimates will soon ban abortion. We find that increases in some states would be as great as 29%, while in others, because of already extremely low abortion rates and numbers, less than 1 additional death would be expected. Banning abortion will likely change maternal mortality in ways beyond exposing more people to the existing risks of maternal death; any increase in maternal mortality due to these changes would be in addition to our estimates.

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Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The maternal mortality consequences of losing abortion access

Stevenson¹,

Root²,

Menken³

2022

Preprint

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“…Even prior to this decision, nearly half of the United States drastically restricted abortion access, with clear mechanisms to criminalize abortion providers [5 ▪▪ ]. In one state, Texas, the drastically and dangerously limited abortion access had already been a reality for 9 months, due to the provisions of Senate Bill 8 [5 ▪▪ ].…”

Section: Current Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Texas SB8, implemented 1 September 2021, banned abortion after cardiac activity, allowing abortion beyond that point only in the case of ‘a medical emergency [5 ▪▪ ]’. The aid and abet clause allows any civilian to sue an individual suspected of helping someone obtain an abortion, for a monetary amount of $10 000 [5 ▪▪ ].…”

Section: Current Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The constraints on both patient and provider autonomy will expand [5 ▪▪ ]. Some providers are leaving restricted states, further worsening inequities and barriers to care for the most marginalized populations [5 ▪▪ ]. Moreover, Texas SB8 has had a detrimental impact on provider mental health, with many providers feeling ‘worse at their job [5 ▪▪ ]’.…”

Section: Current Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some providers are leaving restricted states, further worsening inequities and barriers to care for the most marginalized populations [5 ▪▪ ]. Moreover, Texas SB8 has had a detrimental impact on provider mental health, with many providers feeling ‘worse at their job [5 ▪▪ ]’. Advocacy has never been more critical and necessary than it is at this moment in history.…”

Section: Current Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Physicians and healthcare professionals as advocates for abortion care and reproductive choice

Carroll

Joshi

Espey

2022

Current Opinion in Obstetrics &Amp; Gynecology

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Purpose of reviewThe current review discusses the overarching role of advocacy as a primary component of access to abortion care. Abortion is viewed differently from any other form of health care, resulting in a marginalized, but essential healthcare component: without ongoing effective and strategic advocacy, abortion will not become or remain available. Lack of access to abortion care disproportionately affects historically excluded communities. Recent findingsAdvocacy is core to the provision of sexual and reproductive health. The antiabortion community has effectively used policy to achieve long-term goals of severely restricting access to abortion. Crisis pregnancy centers, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the antiabortion legislation of 2022 have exacerbated existing health inequities. Community engagement and advocacy skills assist providers to support access and combat inequities. Provider and trainee education, interprofessional collaboration, and leadership are critical in the effort to support comprehensive reproductive health care. SummaryThrough this literature review and our lived experiences as abortion providers, we assert the importance of healthcare professionals as advocates for abortion rights and services. The need for advocacy crosses specialties and communities; together we are stronger advocates as we continue to support and fight for access to safe legal and equitable abortion care.

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