State Abortion Policy Landscape: From Hostile to Supportive
Our analysis of the state abortion policy landscape in the United States looks at the extent to which each state’s abortion policy environment demonstrates hostility to, or support of, abortion rights. Based on the number of policies in each of these groups, a state is placed in one of seven classifications, ranging from very hostile to very supportive. All counts refer to laws in effect as of December 30, 2020.
The Classification of U.S. States by Policy Environment
The policy landscape has changed significantly over time. Below is a detailed breakdown of how states were classified in 2020, 2010, and 2000:
| Classification | States in 2020 | States in 2010 | States in 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very hostile | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Hostile | 15 | 10 | 4 |
| Lean hostile | 8 | 19 | 23 |
| Middle-ground | 5 | 9 | 11 |
| Lean supportive | 10 | 10 | 11 |
| Supportive | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Very supportive | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Impact on U.S. Women of Reproductive Age
As the policy landscape has shifted, so has the number of women living in different classifications of states. Currently, nearly 40 million U.S. women of reproductive age (58% of the total number) live in states that have demonstrated hostility to abortion rights. In contrast, 25.8 million women of reproductive age (almost 38% of the total) live in states that have demonstrated support for abortion rights. Additionally, 2.5 million women of reproductive age (nearly 4% of the total) live in middle-ground states.
In comparison to previous years:
- In 2010: Nearly 38 million U.S. women of reproductive age (57% of the total number) lived in hostile states.
- In 2000: Nearly 32 million U.S. women of reproductive age (49% of the total number) lived in hostile states.
Methodology and Criteria for Scoring
States were scored based on whether they had policies in effect in any of six categories of abortion restrictions and any of six categories of measures that protect or expand abortion rights and access. Each state was given a score of 1 for every protective measure in effect and a score of -1 for every abortion restriction in effect.
Six Abortion Restrictions Considered:
- Ban pre- or postviability abortions in violation of constitutional protections.
- Require in-person abortion counseling followed by a waiting period before the procedure (thereby requiring at least two trips to the facility).
- Restrict Medicaid coverage for abortion.
- Prohibit the use of telemedicine to provide medication abortion.
- Limit access to abortion for those younger than 18 without parental involvement.
- Impose unnecessary and onerous abortion clinic regulations.
Public Opinion on Medication Abortion
Most Americans support access to medication abortion. Following the Supreme Court hearing oral arguments over access to mifepristone, one of the medications commonly used for abortion care, the latest Axios/Ipsos poll finds that most Americans, regardless of party affiliation, support women obtaining abortion medication from their doctor or a clinic. In fact, most Americans across party lines agree that abortion issues should be managed between a woman and her doctor, not the government.
Regarding specific findings from the Axios/Ipsos poll:
- 72% of Americans say they support women obtaining medication abortion from their doctor or a clinic.
- 81% of Americans agree abortion issues should be managed between a woman and her doctor, not the government.
- 58% of Americans say they are less likely to vote for a candidate that supports restricting access to abortion.
While the overwhelming majority of Americans support the FDA continuing to take this regulatory role in the United States, opinions are more divided on receiving abortion pills through the mail. Most Democrats (72%) and independents (54%) support women receiving abortion pills through the mail, but 77% of Republicans oppose them doing so.
Gender Perspectives and Political Impact
The majority of both men and women say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate in favor of abortion restrictions. However, the intensity of women’s perspectives on these issues are stronger: Women are more likely than men to say they strongly agree that supporting abortion restrictions would affect their vote.