Women's Health Policy

June 24 marks the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, which had protected the constitutional right to abortion in the United States for almost 50 years. 

Across KFF we've been tracking policy movement on abortion ballot measures in the states, as well as two Supreme Court cases and over a dozen active state level lawsuits challenging state bans, the public’s views on abortion and how they factor into voting decisions, the implications for the Dobbs ruling on racial disparities, and more.

Catch up on KFF’s latest policy research, polling, and journalism on women's health policy issues. 

Featured

10 Things to Know About Abortion Access Since the Dobbs Decision

After the Dobbs decision, states can set their own policies protecting or banning abortion without any federal standard protecting access to abortion. This consequence has led to drastic changes in the landscape of abortion access across the United States with many concerned that access to contraceptives could be at risk. This policy watch presents 10 key facts to know about abortion access since the Dobbs decision two years ago. 

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KFF Survey of Women Voters

Our three polls of women voters—nationally and in two key battleground states, Arizona and Michigan—probe the attitudes, motivations, and voting intentions of women voters nationally and in the two states, including a deep dive into how the abortion issue is motivating women voters and could potentially affect turnout.

Read the survey report →

Policy Research

Looking to the Future: Implications of the SCOTUS Ruling on Mifepristone

In a new post, KFF examines what the Supreme Court’s decision on Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA means for access to medication abortion pills and reviews related litigation and policy efforts underway—including additional efforts to limit medication abortion access at the state and federal level. (June 13) 

Abortion Back at SCOTUS: Can States Ban Emergency Abortion Care for Pregnant Patients? 

On April 24, 2024, the Supreme Court heard the second case this term involving access to abortion about whether the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act preempts state abortion laws and requires hospitals that accept Medicare to provide abortion care. (April 22) 

Ballot Tracker: Status of Abortion-Related State Constitutional Amendment Measures for the 2024 Election 

In 2024, up to 15 states may have abortion measures on their ballot seeking to either affirm that the state constitution protects the right to abortion or that nothing in the constitution confers such a right. Our tracker shows the states where abortion-related constitutional amendment measures are confirmed or under consideration for the 2024 election. (Last updated June 7) 

Policy Tracker: Exceptions to State Abortion Bans and Early Gestational Limits 

All of the 14 abortion bans across the United States include an exception to prevent the death of the pregnant person and some states include other exceptions, which generally fall into three categories: when there is risk to the health of the pregnant person, when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, and when there is a lethal fetal anomaly. This tracker shows the status of exceptions to abortion bans and restrictions in the 20 states with bans or early gestational limits. (Last updated May 31) 

The Right to Contraception: State and Federal Actions, Misinformation, and the Courts 

The Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling has heightened interest in affirming the right to contraception. This issue brief explains how misinformation about contraceptives and how pregnancy is defined in state abortion bans may impact contraceptive access. The brief also outlines the legal protections some states have established to affirm the right to obtain contraceptives. (May 23)

The Comstock Act: Implications for Abortion Care Nationwide 

Get background on the Comstock Act, an anti-vice law enacted in 1873, that if enforced could impact abortion access across the country.  This brief reviews how it has been interpreted by the Biden Administration’s DOJ, and how it could be enforced by an administration that is hostile toward abortion to severely restrict the distribution of drugs and supplies used for abortion, with implications for abortion access in all states across the country. (April 15) 

What are the Implications of the Dobbs Ruling for Racial Disparities? 

This analysis examines the implications of the Dobbs decision and state restrictions on abortion coverage for racial disparities in access to care and health outcomes. (April 24) 

Variability in Payment Rates for Abortion Services Under Medicaid

This brief shows the variability in states’ Medicaid reimbursement rates for abortion services across states, including D&C and D&E procedures, and medication abortion. (March 28) 

Polling

Women’s Views of Abortion Access and Policies in the Dobbs Era: Insights From the KFF Health Tracking Poll

Our poll finds one in five women of reproductive age in states with abortion bans say either they or someone they personally know has had difficulty obtaining an abortion. Majorities of women across states—including in those with abortion bans—think abortion should be legal in all or most cases and support a range of policies that protect abortion access. (April 5) 

Journalism

Wins at the Ballot Box for Abortion Rights Still Mean Court Battles for Access

Michigan and Ohio serve as cautionary tales for states whose voters will decide abortion ballot initiatives this year: Even if the measures pass, it would take time to unwind conflicting laws. (KFF Health News, June 6) 

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Older Women Are Different Than Older Men. Their Health Is Woefully Understudied. 
The White House has launched an initiative on women’s health. Studying the health of older women, a largely neglected group in medical research, should be a priority. (KFF Health News, June 18) 

Democrats Seek to Make GOP Pay for Threats to Reproductive Rights 
Democrats running for office are using abortion rollbacks to galvanize voters, with abortion rights ballot initiatives amplifying their lines of attack. In Missouri, the leading Democratic candidate for the Senate also blames Republican Sen. Josh Hawley for threatening access to IVF. (KFF Health News, May 10) 

Medical Residents are Increasingly Avoiding States with Abortion Restrictions 

A new analysis shows that students graduating from U.S. medical schools were less likely to apply this year for residency positions in states with abortion bans and other significant abortion restrictions. (KFF Health News, May 9) 

'What the Health?' Podcasts

‘What the Health?’: SCOTUS Rejects Abortion Pill Challenge — For Now

The Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, ruling unanimously that the anti-abortion doctor group that filed the suit lacked standing. But abortion opponents are expected to pursue other strategies to ban or restrict the medication. (June 13) 

'What the Health?': Waiting for SCOTUS 

June is when the Supreme Court typically issues rulings in the major cases it hears during that year’s term. This year, those interested in health policy are awaiting decisions in two abortion-related cases and one that could reshuffle the way health policies (and all other federal policies) are made. In this special episode, KFF’s Laurie Sobel, associate director for women’s health policy, joins Julie Rovner for a review of the cases and a preview of how the court might rule. (May 30)