Abortions in Texas Plummeted by 50 Percent After New Heartbeat Law Took Effect

The number of abortions performed in Texas plummeted in the first month since a new law — which prohibits the procedure after a fetal heartbeat is detected — went into effect.

In September 2021, just 2,197 abortions were performed in Texas, a drop of 51 percent from 5,400 statewide abortions in August, according to new figures released by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The Supreme Court has declined the opportunity to review the law, dismissing most legal challenges to it. A unique enforcement mechanism in the law allows individuals to sue anyone who knowingly performs or abets an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, deferring enforcement to private citizens rather than the state. Since the Supreme Court decision, litigation has been ongoing to determine whether state actors such as the Texas attorney general or Texas Medical Board can enforce the legislation.

Some women have traveled to other states, such as Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas and Louisiana to obtain an abortion as a result of the law, the Dallas Morning News has reported. In December, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a coalition of pro-abortion clinics, activists, and lawmakers,  proposing an initiative to make the state a “sanctuary” for abortion by subsidizing travel and lodging for out-of-state women seeking the procedure.