Abortion demand in Kansas surged by 58% in 2023 due to near-total bans on the procedure in Missouri and Oklahoma, as well as strict limits imposed in other Midwest states.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the number of abortions in Kansas reached 7,849 in 2021. This increase can be attributed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the Kansas Supreme Court’s ruling in 2019, which recognized women’s constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy. As a result, the number of abortions in Kansas rose to 12,319 in 2022.
In 2023, the number of abortions in Kansas significantly increased to 19,467, according to KDHE. This marks a 58% surge compared to the previous year.
In 2022, a total of 8,475 abortions were performed on nonresidents. The following year, the number of out-of-state patients seeking abortions rose to 15,111. As for Kansas residents, there was a notable increase of 512 abortions from the previous year, with a total of 4,356 abortions in 2023.
“Access to abortion should not be determined by geographical location. However, ongoing legal disputes in states like Arizona are jeopardizing the availability of essential healthcare services,” stated Trust Women, an organization that runs a clinic in Wichita.”
The approval of a Missouri constitutional amendment in November, aimed at restoring reproductive freedom, is expected to have an impact on out-of-state abortions in Kansas next year.
“The courts in Missouri are currently engaged in a thorough review of the extensive anti-abortion laws and bans that have been in place for years,” assured Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “Although this process requires time, we want to assure everyone that we remain dedicated to advocating for the people of Missouri and their newly recognized constitutional right to access abortion services.”
In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the state’s Bill of Rights encompassed the right to bodily autonomy and self-determination. According to the justices, this inherent right extended to choices regarding pregnancy.
In 2022, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Kansas voters decisively rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that aimed to introduce stricter abortion regulations.
According to Danielle Underwood, the spokesperson for Kansas For Life, the recent rise in abortions over the past two years does not align with the values and concerns of the people of Kansas.
According to Underwood, those who claim that this is what Kansans voted for are being dishonest and are not aligned with the direction of history. Underwood finds the increase in abortions in Kansas to be deeply saddening, as it highlights the relentless targeting of vulnerable women by the abortion industry. Underwood believes that these women are no longer protected by enforceable informed consent laws or basic abortion facility inspection and safety standards.
In 2024, the state Supreme Court invalidated anti-abortion laws, including the prohibition on a second trimester procedure and regulations imposing stricter measures on abortion providers compared to other healthcare professionals. As per existing guidelines, an abortion in Kansas can be conducted until the 22nd week of pregnancy.
Nebraska voters made a significant decision in 2024 by including a 12-week ban on abortion in their state constitution. Meanwhile, Iowa takes a stricter stance with a six-week ban in place. Similarly, both Missouri and Oklahoma have implemented complete prohibitions on abortion, allowing it only in cases where the life of the individual is at risk.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the majority of abortions performed in Kansas last year took place before nine weeks of gestational age, accounting for 69% of all cases. Additionally, approximately 90% of these abortions occurred prior to the 13th week. KDHE also revealed that 85% of the women who underwent abortions in Kansas were unmarried.
According to KDHE, the abortion ratio for Kansas residents in 2023 was 14.5% higher than the previous year. In 2022, the ratio stood at 111.8 abortions per 1,000 live births, while in 2023, it increased to 128 per 1,000 live births. However, it is worth noting that the ratio has significantly decreased since 2004, when it was reported at 151 abortions per 1,000 live births.
In 2023, residents of Kansas welcomed 34,041 newborns, marking the lowest rate per 1,000 people in the state since data tracking began in 1912.
In 2023, there were 2,041 pregnancies among individuals under 20 years of age in Kansas, which marks a 2.6% decrease from the previous year. This represents the lowest pregnancy rate for this age group in the past two decades.
Start your day with the latest news by subscribing to our morning headlines. Stay informed about the most important stories and updates from around the world. Sign up now to receive all the news you need to know, delivered straight to your inbox every morning. Don’t miss out on any breaking news or major events – stay ahead of the curve with our morning headlines subscription. Subscribe today and be the first to know.
Reference Article
