Abortions in Georgia drop by nearly half after H.B. 481

Georgians have been having fewer abortions since the state's anti-abortion law went into effect last summer.

Driving the news: According to the Society of Family Planning's #WeCount national abortion report the monthly average of abortions in Georgia has dropped by nearly half since a federal judge allowed the law to go into effect July 20.

• Each month in 2022 Georgia reported roughly 4,000 abortions prior to July, but has seen closer to 2,000 since, according to the report.
• In total Georgia saw among the largest declines during the six months following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade — a total of nearly 11,000 fewer abortions.
• Georgia also saw the largest decrease in virtual clinic visits, from 550 in April to less than 10 in August.

Why it matters: The numbers are an early indicator that H.B. 481 — which bans abortions after cardiac activity has been detected in an embryo, generally at about six weeks — has been effective.

What they're saying: "We continue to provide compassionate abortion services even today," Kwajelyn Jackson, director of Atlanta abortion provider Feminist Women’s Health Center, said at a press conference last month.

• "But in the face of H.B. 481...we continue to have to turn away numerous patients every day who are in life-threatening and life-changing situations," she added.
• "Our staff continue to work under the constraints of this law and try to provide as much compassion and care for the people who are coming into our center."

The other side: In a press release the Georgia Life Alliance touted the #WeCount data, saying that the bill it helped write "has crushed the abortion industry."

Zoom out: Nationally, the report finds that in the six months after the Dobbs decision, an average of 5,377 fewer abortions have been provided per month.

Meanwhile, the total number of abortion pills provided nationally via telehealth has increased from 4% of abortions in April 2022 to 11% of abortions in December.

Between the lines: States that have restricted abortions have seen a decrease in medical school seniors applying for both OBGYN residencies and all specialties, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.

Of note: The data does not include self-managed abortions or others provided outside the formal health care system like volunteer networks in Mexico.

What we're watching: The Georgia Supreme Court is expected to rule on the law's constitutionality at any time. But if abortion rights advocates lose, they intend to keep bringing other challenges.

Editor's note: This story has been update to include that Georgia saw nearly 11,000 fewer abortions in the six months following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.