Ohio sees increase in those traveling from out of state for an abortion

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Recent data estimates out-of-state travel for abortion services has more than doubled in the United States since 2019, finding over 3,000 patients crossed the border into Ohio for the procedure last year. 

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, 14 states have enacted total bans on abortion. This has resulted in out-of-state abortions significantly increasing, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. The organization receives data from abortion providers across America monthly. 

A study by the institute found that over 1 million clinician-provided abortions took place in 2023 in states without a total ban -- the highest number in the U.S. in over a decade. Of those, 171,000 patients traveled out-of-state to receive abortion services last year, compared with 73,100 in 2019, the institute states. 

Most traveling patients went to the next closest state that allowed abortions. Those in the South, where 13 states banned or restricted the procedure, often had to travel across multiple state lines.

In the state, out of 23,800 total abortion patients in 2023, 3,100 traveled from out of state, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The number of out-of-state patients coming to Ohio for an abortion increased from 6% in 2020 to 14% in 2023, the study found. A large number of travelers in 2023 came from surrounding states such as Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia – all of which have abortion bans in place. 

In November, Ohio voters passed a ballot initiative establishing the right to abortion in the state constitution. Abortion is legal in the state for up to 21 weeks of pregnancy.

Erica Wilson-Domer, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, stated she has seen an increase in the number of travelers coming to Ohio for an abortion since Issue 1 passed, specifically in the Cincinnati region. 

“I would think that as we continue to make progress on ensuring our rights around the constitutional amendment, we will continue to see [increased travel],” Wilson-Domer said. “The need for healthcare and the need for abortion doesn’t stop.”

She said most of the people coming from out of state are from Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Ohio still has multiple laws regarding abortion, including a 24-hour waiting period from a patient’s first appointment to undergoing the procedure and getting a parent’s consent if the patient is a minor. 

“I think for Ohio because we still have a lot of our restrictions in place such as the 24-hour wait … it is harder for people who are traveling farther to come here,” Wilson-Domer said.

While the Ohio Department of Health releases its own report tracking abortion statistics in Ohio, the 2023 report has not yet been released. The department's previous reports show out-of-state travelers consisted of 5.7% of abortions (1,167 out of 19,438) in 2020, 5% (1,097 out of 20,716) in 2021 and 7% (1,287 out of 17,201) in 2022.