US Abortions Nearly Double 4 Years After Roe Overturn as Online Pill Prescriptions Expand
Updated
Updated · NPR · Jun 22
US Abortions Nearly Double 4 Years After Roe Overturn as Online Pill Prescriptions Expand
3 articles · Updated · NPR · Jun 22
Summary
U.S. abortions are now nearly twice their pre-Roe-overturn level, despite abortion bans enacted in multiple states.
Online prescriptions and mailed abortion pills drove the increase, allowing patients to obtain medication abortions without in-person clinic visits.
The surge underscores how telemedicine and mail delivery have blunted the practical impact of state-level abortion restrictions four years after the Supreme Court ended Roe v. Wade.
With a new FDA safety review underway, could access to abortion pills soon face its greatest challenge yet?
Can state laws effectively stop the mailing of FDA-approved medications in an era of telehealth and shield laws?
Post-Dobbs America: Why US Abortions Increased Despite State Bans (2022–2025)
Overview
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, many expected abortion rates in the US to fall due to new bans and restrictions in several states. However, the country saw an unexpected surge in abortions from 2022 to 2025, with numbers rising each year. This increase was driven by the rapid adaptation of abortion access, especially through medication abortion and telehealth, allowing people to bypass local restrictions. The trend highlights how legal changes can have surprising effects, as people and providers find new ways to maintain access despite stricter laws.