What Does Texas’ Data on Abortions Say About Law?

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES – 2021/02/17: A demonstrator holding a placard saying ‘Heart Beat Bill’ during a press conference and protest by Democrats who walked out during a debate on an anti-abortion bill in the House of Representatives. Republicans passed the bill and after being signed by the Governor, it will most likely cause a constitutional showdown in the courts. (Photo by Sean Rayford/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

DALLAS (AP) – Texas has released data showing a marked drop in abortions at clinics in the state in the first month under the nation’s strictest abortion law, but that only tells part of the story. A study released Friday showing a jump in requests from Texans for abortion pills by mail is helping complete the picture, as will learning more about the number of women who went to clinics outside the state and how many who were unable to get abortions ended up giving birth. The law took effect in September. Numbers released recently by the state show that there was a 60% drop in abortions that month compared to the month earlier.