Understanding the State and Local Policies Affecting Abortion Care Administration, Access, and Delivery: A Case Study...

The implementation and enforcement of state and local abortion policy can vary significantly between medical clinics and depend on the context and the individual decisionmakers involved. Research conducted prior to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization showed that, when providers are unclear about potentially conflicting or changing local and state policies (formal and informal) or enforcement, many err on the side of caution and become more restrictive in their practices. However, it is unknown whether and to what extent state and local policies and practices adapted in the wake of Dobbs have influenced providers' practices. The authors conducted an initial study of laws and policies post-Dobbs in one state, North Carolina, to better understand the policy landscape and gather perspectives from staff in facilities or organizations that provide or support abortion care. This study served as a unique opportunity to explore laws and policies, as well as implementation experiences, given North Carolina's Senate Bill 20, which instituted a gestational limit of 12 weeks and 6 days, as well as other provisions, including a 72-hour in-person consent requirement. The findings highlight the reported impacts of Senate Bill 20 on facilities, providers, and patients, as well as other local and institutional policies on abortion care access. This work highlights the importance of understanding legislation and its underlying provisions to ensure a complete picture of implementation factors and potential impacts.