Abortions spiked in Arizona in 2024
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Arizona clinicians performed about 3,000 more abortions last year than in 2023 — a 21% spike, per a new report from the Guttmacher Institute.
Why it matters: The increase in abortions could be a result of state leaders clarifying laws last year and more people from states with total abortion bans traveling to Arizona for care, abortion advocates told Axios.
Catch up quick: Until last year, Arizona's abortion laws were in flux following the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
- A smattering of contradictory state laws required court interpretation to determine if and when abortion was still legal in Arizona, culminating in a controversial state Supreme Court decision last April that reinstated a near-total ban from 1864.
- The state Legislature repealed that law in May, affirming that abortions were legal through 15 weeks of pregnancy.
- In November, voters overwhelmingly supported Prop. 139, which expanded access to the procedure through fetal viability (typically 24 weeks).
Zoom in: Attorney and reproductive rights advocate Chris Love told Axios that last year's legal and legislative action provided clear guidance for the first time since the overturning of Roe, probably resulting in more women seeking care in Arizona instead of traveling elsewhere.
- Neighboring states New Mexico and Colorado — where laws remained broad and consistent after Roe's reversal — saw abortions decline slightly last year, possibly because patients in Arizona were no longer traveling for care, she said.
Zoom out: Athena Salman, Arizona director of campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All, said she also heard from abortion providers who reported seeing more out-of-state patients last year.
- Even though Arizona had a 15-week ban in place for most of the year, abortion was still more accessible here than in Texas, Oklahoma and other states with near-total bans.
What's next: Now that abortion access has further expanded through the passage of Prop. 139, Arizona could see procedures increase even more among locals and visitors.
The other side: Legislative Republicans are still pushing abortion restrictions. This year, they've pitched bills that would require in-person exams before doctors can prescribe abortion medication and would withhold funding from clinics that perform abortions.
- For now, it's a futile exercise — those bills would undoubtedly meet Gov. Katie Hobbs' veto stamp.
- Yes, but: They could be revived if she loses her reelection bid next year.
What's next: Legislative Democrats proposed bills to repeal existing laws they believe contradict Prop. 139, including a ban on using telehealth for abortion appointments and a measure punishing providers who advertise their services.
- Republicans have blocked the bills from moving forward, and advocates are considering challenging the laws in court instead.
The bottom line: "Securing the right to abortion in Arizona's state constitution … [has been critical] in stopping the government from interfering in people's health decisions and reducing the barriers Arizonans face to accessing reproductive health care," Erika Mach, chief external affairs officer of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, said in a statement to Axios.
- "But let's be clear: The fight to ensure reproductive care is accessible to all is far from over."