Sep 13, 2023 - News
Mapped: Abortions surge in Virginia as southern states impose restrictions
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Legal abortions rose sharply in states bordering ones that banned the procedure after Roe v. Wade was overturned last year, Axios' Adriel Bettelheim writes from a new analysis by the Guttmacher Institute.
What's happening: Border-hopping patients are highly motivated to travel to get care in the face of state bans, the abortion-rights research group said.
Zoom in: Virginia is the only southern state that hasn't banned or restricted abortion since the fall of Roe.
- The institute estimated the number of abortions increased 60% here in the first half of the year.
Why it matters: Anti-abortion politicians across the country are increasing efforts to hinder travel for out-of-state abortions and pushing for a national ban.
- The prospect of a national ban became a major topic and divided candidates at the first GOP presidential debate despite evidence that it's a losing position with voters.