Abortion has been a widely debated and often practiced medical procedure in the United States. For decades, reproductive rights, including abortion, were unregulated and largely ignored by law. However, by the 1860s, abortion bans were established at the state level, and in 1910 abortion was banned nationwide.
In the past, banning abortion did not stop it from happening. Those with means, typically wealthy white women, could afford to travel to avoid the law or bribe professionals to get the procedure. But for working women without sufficient funds, throughout most of the 20th century, abortion was hard to access and could be dangerous. Estimates from the mid-20th century indicate that between 200,000 and 1.2 million illegal abortions were performed annually in the U.S. In 1965, illegal abortions accounted for 17% of all deaths attributed to pregnancy and childbirth.
In 1973, the Supreme Court reviewed years of strict regulations in the landmark case Roe v. Wade and established a constitutional right to abortion. Although Roe v. Wade protected the right to an abortion, the medical procedure was still difficult to access. Several states passed laws that made it challenging to obtain abortions. On top of this, the Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976, prohibited the use of Medicaid funds for abortion procedures, thus limiting access among certain low-income communities.
Abortion remained a constitutionally protected right for nearly 50 years, but in 2022, the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion and instead placed jurisdiction in the hands of the states. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade and gave individual states the authority to regulate abortions. In the months that followed, 16 states enacted highly restrictive legislation, with many others significantly restricting access.
These restrictions disproportionately impacted minorities and low-income individuals. Data from the Guttmacher Institute, a leading research and policy organization focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, indicates that over 60% of those seeking abortions are people of color, and about half live below the federal poverty line. Many people of color reside in Southern states, which contain some of the most restrictive abortion laws.
The Texas Health & Safety Code prohibits abortions in nearly all circumstances. In June 2022, Louisiana began enforcing its trigger ban, which prohibits abortion at all stages of pregnancy with very few exceptions. As a result, people living in these states often face logistical and financial obstacles—forced to travel long distances, pay additional costs, and pregnancy termination without medical assistance—creating barriers to accessing an abortion.
Since access to abortion clinics for a procedure has become more heavily regulated, many women choose to terminate pregnancy with abortive pills. One anonymous Harvard student who decided to terminate her pregnancy this way shared in an interview with the Independent that her experience with the abortion pill was challenging.
“Like most female reproductive-related procedures, there are no pain management meds offered. I was told to take some Advil or Tylenol…this was by far the most violent and relentless pain I have ever experienced. It felt like I was turning into a werewolf.”
After taking the abortion pill, she was forced to rely on friends for emotional support as she endured intense physical pain. She described the experience as overwhelming: “I was uncontrollably vomiting and shitting myself. The cramping was indescribable.”
But this method of abortion also has its risks, especially when it is not supervised by a professional. A woman in Georgia died of an infection caused by a complication after taking abortion pills. This does not exist in a vacuum: a 2021 study from the University of Colorado Boulder projected that a nationwide abortion ban could lead to a 21% increase in pregnancy-related deaths overall.
Research confirms that abortion bans do not significantly reduce the rate of abortions, either. A 2018 study by the Guttmacher Institute found that abortion rates in countries with restrictive abortion laws are only slightly lower than in countries where abortion is legal. What changes instead are the conditions in which abortions occur: without safe options, people often resort to unsafe, unregulated methods, risking injury or death.
Following last week’s election results, a central question dominating the media is how these outcomes will affect reproductive rights, particularly access to abortion. Although during his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump made a promise via X that he would not ban abortion federally, there are still several ways in which he could limit it.
Trump appointees could restrict abortion access by pushing the FDA to limit access to mifepristone, an abortion pill. Mifepristone is a key medication used in over half of all abortions in the U.S. It is crucial for medical abortions up to 10 weeks into pregnancy due to its safety, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness—typically less than $100 per dose. Furthermore, despite his promise, Trump’s close ties with the anti-abortion movement and conservative policy Project 2025—although he denied involvement—suggest he may push for nationwide restrictions. With Republicans likely taking control of both the House and Senate, the party could quickly advance federal restrictions on abortion.
The past election also saw a division across states on abortion rights. States like Missouri and Arizona passed ballot measures to protect abortion. New York, Maryland, and Montana passed measures that expand or further protect abortion rights, with New York enshrining abortion protections into state law. North Carolina’s election results have blocked additional restrictions. The election officials who oppose tighter abortion laws, like Democratic Gov. Josh Stein of North Carolina, will prevent the state from implementing new limitations. In contrast, ballot measures in Florida and Nebraska fell short, leaving in place restrictive abortion laws and making it difficult for individuals to obtain legal abortions.
As states implement varying policies, and the new administration begins making turnover plans for January 2025, the future of abortion rights remains a critical issue in the nation for those on both sides of the debate. Abortion rights have evolved considerably over the years, so time will tell what is next for the ongoing legal battles and divisive nature across the states regarding reproductive healthcare and autonomy.
Frida López ’27 (fridalopezbravo@college.harvard.edu) writes News for The Independent.