On the anniversary of Dobbs, Montana sees increase in abortions
In the year since the United States Supreme Court issued the bombshell decision Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health that overturned a half-century of abortion precedent, Montana has seen the number of abortions provided in-state grow – a number that hasn’t surprised many.
According to the national #WeCount Report by the Society of Family Planning, Montana’s average number of abortions performed per month grew by 17, or roughly 10 percent. In that same time period, 20 states have either banned the procedure completely or severely curtailed access to it.
Meanwhile in Montana, abortion remains legal with the state Supreme Court’s 1999 ruling, Armstrong vs. State of Montana, in which the court found that Montana’s right to privacy in the state constitution covered medical decisions by a resident and their healthcare provider. Still, that didn’t stop the legislature from passing several restrictive abortion bills that have already been challenged in court.
A recent public opinion poll confirmed a majority of residents still overwhelmingly favor access to abortion and keeping the procedure legal in most circumstance in Montana.
Montana does, in some cases, follow the national trend, while bucking it in other areas. For example, the overall national trend for abortions is down, largely due to some states imposing a ban. In that way, Montana’s rise is unique. However, experts in the Treasure State say they expected to see – and have seen – an increase in the number of travelers coming from out of state, as well as dealing with confusion caused by the legislature’s contradictory laws.
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“What is happening in Helena is not indicative of what people feel like around the state. People value abortion, the privacy of their healthcare decisions,” Sullivan said. “They don’t want lawmakers in the examine room, and we’ll fight to keep it legal. People should know they shouldn’t be afraid or stigmatized. It’s OK to want and need an abortion. It’s a popular thing, and you have support.
“Your community has your back.”