Change Of Political Power In States Likely Will Lead To New Laws Restricting Abortion Access

"[E]mboldened by major changes in the political landscape, with conservative Republicans making large gains," dozens of state legislatures are considering legislation that would restrict access to abortion care, the New York Times reports. According to NARAL Pro-Choice America spokesperson Ted Miller, 29 governors, up from 21 last year, are considered abortion-rights opponents, the Times reports. Fifteen states have both a Legislature and governor who oppose abortion rights, compared with 10 states last year. According to Elizabeth Nash, who tracks state abortion policies at the Guttmacher Institute, it is likely that more measures restricting abortion will pass this year than last, despite budget pressures in most states. The Times reports that 30 laws restricting abortion access were adopted in 2010 in at least nine states.

According to the Times, abortion-rights opponents are focusing on trying to place restrictions on abortion earlier in pregnancy than current laws allow, require women seeking abortions to first view ultrasounds and prohibit insurers participating in the health insurance exchanges from offering abortion coverage. In particular, the shift to more conservative governors seems to have opened new opportunities for opponents of abortion rights, the Times reports. Michael Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life, said, "This is the best climate for passing pro-life laws in years. [Ohio has] a pro-life governor and a brand new pro-life speaker. We're pro-life from top to bottom."


Abortion-rights supporters say that last year's elections concerned the economy and the role of government, meaning that newly elected officials do not have a mandate to work on social issues. Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said, "We now are concerned about a real overreaching by some state legislators and governors that will make it very difficult for women to access reproductive care" (Eckholm, New York Times, 1/21).


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