Idaho’s trigger abortion ban didn’t go into effect until 30 days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, but the Gem State’s legal position on the issue was clear — and had immediate ripple effects throughout the region.
Oregon and Washington in particular have absorbed much of the demand for abortion care, as Idahoans and residents of other states with bans have funneled across state lines for the procedure.
“I just think it’s really important for people to understand that when abortion is outlawed, abortion does not go away,” said Dr. Emily Godfrey, a senior author of a University of Washington study looking at the increase in out-of-state abortion patients in the state.
Nationwide, the total number of abortions has increased since the landmark Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, according to data from The Society of Family Planning. The l atest report shows a steady increase in the average number of abortions performed per week in both Washington and Oregon since the organization started tracking in April 2022.