New research suggests that state-level abortion laws restrictions are doing more than just limiting access to abortion; they’re also contributing to a significant decline in the number of obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) available to women for all types of healthcare. This trend exacerbates an already strained maternal care system across the United States.

A study published by researchers at Johns Hopkins University highlights this concerning development. “Access to maternity care in the United States is already strained, and more than one-third of U.S. counties are considered ‘maternity care deserts,’ meaning they lack a birthing facility or an obstetric clinician,” explains Dr. Quan Qi, a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins and an author of the study.

The Impact of Abortion Restrictions on OB-GYN Supply

Researchers analyzed the maternal healthcare workforce between 2010 and 2021, focusing on periods two to nine years after states enacted abortion laws. They discovered a notable pattern: each time a “TRAP law” (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) was passed, the supply of ob-gyns fell by over two doctors per 100,000 women of childbearing age. This decline was compared to similar counties in states without such laws.

The study found these reductions were particularly pronounced among both older and newly trained physicians. Dr. Qi notes, “Ob-gyn supply declined in both rural and urban counties, in both higher- and lower-poverty areas, and in counties with both higher and lower uninsured rates.” This indicates the impact isn’t confined to specific types of communities.

Crucially, the data did not show any corresponding increase in other women’s healthcare providers, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or midwives, which could help fill these gaps in care.

Why Are OB-GYNs Leaving?

The decline in ob-gyns doesn’t surprise experts. Dr. Bethany Everett, an associate professor and sociologist at The Ohio State University, suggests these declines were anticipated. “The fact that these declines started to happen even before Roe [v. Wade] was repealed was a harbinger, I think, of some of the fear that providers have around offering care to pregnant people in climates that are hostile to the full range of reproductive healthcare options, including abortion,” she states.

Dr. Daniel Cook, an associate professor of public health at the University of Nevada, Reno, warns of the broader implications. “The U.S. already has healthcare shortages and reduced access in many settings, so fewer physicians will add to the barriers,” he says. He also points out that “worse health outcomes from restricted care are shown in other work to increase disparity, meaning that poor women have worse health outcomes from the new laws.”

Real-Life Consequences for Women’s Health

Fewer ob-gyns mean tangible challenges for women seeking routine and specialized care. Dr. Kelly DeBie, an adjunct instructor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, explains the practical impact. “Lower rates of ob-gyns have real-life impacts on patients and may increase travel time for appointments and increase delays in care if providers are caring for a higher volume,” says Dr. DeBie, a legal epidemiologist who has researched the effects of abortion laws on population health.

This reduction in the workforce affects all women in an area, not just those seeking abortion services. It can lead to longer wait times for appointments, increased travel distances, and potentially delayed diagnoses or treatments for a range of women’s health issues, from prenatal care to cancer screenings.

The ripple effect of abortion restrictions on the broader landscape of women’s healthcare is becoming increasingly clear. Addressing these workforce shortages is vital to ensure all women have access to the comprehensive care they need.