Intersection of State Abortion Policy and Clinical Practice: June 2021 Update
This report presents state policies related to abortion and their intersection with clinical practice. The material highlights state-level abortion specific policies, ranging from waiting period laws to medication abortion requirements. These charts highlight the 24% decrease in the abortion rate between 2009 to 2018, while the many states restrict abortion access by placing limits on the provision of medication abortion, banning insurance coverage of abortion in private and Medicaid plans, and enforcing policies such as waiting periods.
State Abortion Restrictions and Legal Frameworks
Currently, 18 states have jail sentences for providers that perform abortions beyond their state’s gestational limit. Many jurisdictions require patients to be counseled on topics about abortion harms that are unsupported by medical evidence. The Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade is devastating for so many of us in healthcare and justice work, leading many to look for ways to support abortion care where it’s still legal and to take control after an overwhelming loss of power and access.
Clinical Practice and Provider Statistics
Abortion procedures can be overseen by MDs, DOs, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants, depending on your individual state's legal framework. Currently only 14% of OB-GYNs (obstetrician-gynecologists) in private practice offer abortion care, but 97% report that they have patients who request these services. Furthermore, only 3% of Doctor of Family Medicine graduates report providing termination services in 2018, despite this being within the scope of practice for all of them. While 64% of OB-GYN residencies include routine abortion care education, there are lots of logistical and regulatory reasons why more providers are needed.
Abortion Care Training for Medical Professionals
If you’re a healthcare provider or student, you can take steps right now to ensure the future of abortion care is strengthened. The following organizations provide training to medical professionals:
- National Abortion Federation (NAF): Offers 50 online CME courses and hosts in person trainings for clinics, schools, and nonprofits.
- Abortion Training Centers: Matches residents and practicing clinicians with 2-8 week, no cost clinical rotations to learn how to provide abortion care.
- Medical Students for Choice: Provides a scholarship-funded Training to Competence Externship for medical students and residents.
- Midwest Access Project: Connects providers with customized observations and training rotations with a focus on abortion care or sexual and reproductive health.
- TEACH (Training in Early Abortion and Comprehensive Healthcare): Provides online CME for providers regarding medical abortions and clinical abortion skills.
- RHEDI and howtouseabortionpill.org: Free interactive videos and clinical tools regarding medical and early surgical abortion techniques.
| Training Organization | Program Type | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| National Abortion Federation | Online CME & In-person trainings | Members, clinics, and nonprofits |
| Abortion Training Centers | 2-8 week clinical rotations | Residents and practicing clinicians |
| Medical Students for Choice | Externship scholarship | Medical students and residents |
| Midwest Access Project | Customized rotations | Clinicians and providers |
| TEACH | Online CME & Rural Electives | Medical trainees and rural providers |
Direct Clinical Services Example: Michael Benjamin, MD
For those requiring direct clinical services, Michael Benjamin, MD, is a member of NAF and ACN located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Clinical offerings include:
- Abortion Pill from 3-6 weeks.
- Specialization in fetal anomalies and maternal health issues.
- Enhanced Private Abortion services and financial assistance.
- Provisions for out-state care if pregnancy is over 15.6 weeks.