Examining Post-Dobbs Changes in Abortion Use at 3 Southern Michigan Clinics, July 2021‒June 2023

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• The overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Dobbs decision led to varied abortion access across US states.
• Michigan, a state with protective abortion laws, became a destination for individuals from states with severe restrictions.
• Understanding changes in abortion service delivery in such a pivotal location is crucial for assessing national trends.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze shifts in abortion service delivery at three Planned Parenthood clinics in southern Michigan.
• To compare abortion data from the year before (July 2021–June 2022) and after (July 2022–June 2023) the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health ruling.
• To assess the impact of increased out-of-state patient volume on service provision.

Main Methods:

• Monthly abortion data from three Michigan clinics were collected and analyzed.
• Key metrics included the mean number of monthly abortions, gestation, method, and patient state of residence.
• Data were compared between the pre-Dobbs and post-Dobbs periods.

Main Results:

• Mean monthly abortions rose from 358 to 575 post-Dobbs.
• Out-of-state patients increased from 383 to 1145, comprising a larger proportion of total abortions.
• Medication abortions decreased slightly (58% to 53%), while procedural abortions under 14 weeks gestation increased (31% to 36%).

Conclusions:

• Michigan clinics experienced a substantial rise in out-of-state patients after the Dobbs decision.
• The shift towards procedural abortions indicates provider adaptation to meet the needs of patients from restrictive states.
• These changes highlight the evolving landscape of abortion care in the US, with protective states serving as critical access points.