Abortion after Dobbs: Defendants, denials, and delays.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Law and Medicine
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade.
• This decision eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, returning regulatory power to individual states.
• Anticipated legal and medical consequences include increased criminalization and restricted access to reproductive services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the projected impacts of the Dobbs decision on reproductive healthcare.
• To identify potential increases in the criminalization of pregnancy-related activities.
• To forecast changes in abortion access and timing.

Main Methods:

• Review of legal analyses and public health data projections.
• Examination of state-level legislative trends post-Dobbs.
• Analysis of potential shifts in abortion care seeking behaviors.

Main Results:

• Increased criminalization of behaviors during pregnancy is expected.
• A rise in the denial of abortion services is anticipated.
• More abortions are projected to occur after the first trimester.

Conclusions:

• The Dobbs decision is poised to significantly alter the landscape of reproductive healthcare in the U.S.
• Expectations include heightened legal risks for pregnant individuals and increased barriers to abortion access.
• The timing of abortions may shift, potentially leading to later-term procedures.