This is highly encouraging for the pro-life movement, as it demonstrates the extent of the economic impact.
This month marks one year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. As many had predicted, the Dobbs decision brought an escalation in the abortion wars, with state-level battles assuming enormous significance. The outcomes for pro-lifers have been a mixed bag, but the abortion industry has also sustained significant blows over the past year.
For starters, pro-life laws are proving effective. A Bloomberg report indicates that, between July and December of 2022, there were only 265 abortions per month in Arkansas, Alabama, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. This represents a 96% drop from the abortion rate during April and May. A significant contributing factor is the closure of numerous abortion clinics following the Dobbs decision. The “average American now lives 275 miles further” away from a clinic.
Longitudinal studies have demonstrated that women who must travel further to procure an abortion are more likely to seek alternative options. One rationale for the closure of abortion facilities by the pro-life movement is that evidence from both pro-life and pro-abortion sources indicates that abortion-minded women do not simply find other clinics; rather, many will seek life-affirming options. The closure of additional abortion clinics subsequent to the Dobbs decision has served to exacerbate this trend.
Reports that have been corroborated by pro-life statisticians indicate that a minimum of 32,250 fewer abortions were performed in the United States over the six-month period following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. A recently released report from NPR highlights another significant achievement for the pro-life movement. According to the highest-ranking officials at Planned Parenthood, the country’s largest abortion provider is currently engaged in restructuring its national office and anticipates the termination of numerous employees, with a new emphasis on assisting local affiliates.
Union representatives have been informed that up to 10% to 20% of the national workforce may be laid off, or a minimum of 80 people. Union officials have stated that Planned Parenthood’s leaders are “pushing out some of our movement’s brightest minds.” This comes at a time when reproductive freedom is in jeopardy and when our members are struggling under difficult economic conditions.
This is a significant development for the pro-life movement, as it demonstrates the extent of the economic impact of the Dobbs decision on Planned Parenthood. With the enactment of pro-life legislation in over a dozen states, the abortion provider has diversified its services to include transgender cross-sex hormones and sex “changes,” yet abortion has consistently been its primary source of revenue. In response to the recent developments, Planned Parenthood has announced its intention to intensify its political activities. This will involve a significant investment in the electoral campaigns of those who will work to create more favourable regulatory environments for the corporation to operate within. Additionally, the organisation has revealed plans to inject $70 million into its affiliates.
In addition, Planned Parenthood is currently engaged in several costly legal proceedings. They are currently being sued by an unidentified pro-life activist for allegedly defrauding the Medicaid system. If they are unsuccessful in this litigation, they could be required to pay more than $1.8 billion, a sum that would likely result in the organization’s bankruptcy at the national level. In contrast, Planned Parenthood is persistently attempting to prevent the implementation of pro-life legislation, most recently attempting to block South Carolina’s “Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion” Law. The outcome of these cases has significant implications.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
