Perspective: The Number of Abortions Has Risen Since Roe's Termination. What All Parties Can Concur On Moving Forward
Research has revealed that an extensive portion of Americans are against turning back the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, even in certain conservative areas, where elected officials have shown support for preserving access to abortion services. However, in specific regions, the pro-life stance on abortion boasts widespread approval, potentially expanding in the future. Gallup's survey disclosed that 64% of citizens favor some limitations on abortion, while only 34% vouch for it being legal in all scenarios. Furthermore, a Pew Research Center poll revealed that merely 19% of Americans sustain the idea of fetal death in the third trimester being lawful in every instance.
From a pro-life Republican standpoint, the Republican party could implement a successful strategy regarding abortion that both sides can approve: decreasing the frequency of abortions. The first step would entail collaborating to prevent unwanted pregnancies. This is safer for women and more cost-effective compared to terminating pregnancies.
An imperative measure towards achieving this goal is enhancing accessibility to contraceptives. President Trump clarified on Tuesday through a Truth Social post that he advocates for contraceptive access after some misinterpreted his recent interview.
During a question concerning potential restrictions on contraception, he stated he is formulating a detailed policy statement. However, it would also be beneficial for President Biden in 2024 to revisit his stance from 2006. In a 2006 interview with Texas Monthly, Biden remarked, "I do not view abortion as a choice and a right. I think it's always a tragedy. And I think that it should be rare and safe." CNN rediscovered and recirculated this comment in 2019. Biden added, "I think we should be focusing on how to limit the number of abortions. And [we] ought to be able to have a common ground and consensus as to doing that. I think the vast majority of the American people think that can be done."
Overall, abortions increased by 11% since 2020, reaching the highest figure in the United States in over a decade. An estimated 1,037,000 abortions occurred in 2023; nonetheless, the implementation of effective birth control measures could dramatically lower the rate in the future.
Clinical analysis conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine demonstrated that increasing birth control availability decreases abortion incidents. An econo-mist from the University of California, Los Angeles, named Martha Bailey, spearheaded a study that also confirmed increased birth control access minimizes abortion.
The proportion of younger individuals who adopted permanent contraception, such as tubal ligations or vasectomies, has grown since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision reversing Roe. Nevertheless, close to half of women getting abortions revealed they weren't using birth control during their pregnancy.
Republican women are striving to expand access to non-prescription contraceptives. In response, the Orally Taken Contraception Act of 2023, a bill sponsored by nine female House Republicans, intends to increase regulatory precision to stimulate competition and provide women with various contraception choices for preventive healthcare. The statement from the sponsors explains its purpose: "expands access to over-the-counter contraceptives by increasing regulatory clarity to promote competition, and provides women with options for preventative health care."
Unfortunately, some members of the pro-life community, notably Catholics, reject birth control. I emphatically dissent and am not isolated in that view. A Pew study exposed that 83% of American Catholics endorse the use of contraception by the church. I hope that more anti-abortion proponents will convert, recognizing the provision of birth control as crucial to diminishing abortion cases.
Democrats must avoid exaggerating the Dobbs Supreme Court decision as a path towards banning contraception. The Supreme Court upheld birth control access in the Griswald decision of 1965. The Dobbs majority verdict explicitly stated, "This decision concerns the constitutional right to abortion and no other right. Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion." Despite the dissenting opinion of Justice Thomas suggesting Griswold's reconsideration, his suggestion was a trivial point as he was the only justice to mention it among the nine.
There are genuine First Amendment concerns about forcing religious entities to cover these costs, particularly fleets such as the Little Sisters of the Poor and Hobby Lobby. However, exempting these private groups from financing birth control is unrelated to enforcing universal or government restrictions on access to birth control.
Considering the evaporation of Clinton-era rhetoric advocating for "safe, legal, and rare" abortions, some leftists now support late-term abortion and vehemently reject any restrictions.
Promoting and fostering the prevention of unwanted pregnancies represents a powerful political message received well by both Republicans and Democrats. Above all, it benefits women and their families.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
