Reproductive Healthcare Crisis: Impacts of the 2022 Dobbs Decision

In the United States, following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision which overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive healthcare has come under increasing threat. The ruling led to chaos with 41 states implementing some form of restrictions on abortion, and 13 states imposing total bans. This drastic shift has not only affected access to abortion but has also raised concerns about contraception and IVF, impacting maternal health as well. Patients in these restrictive states often must travel significant distances for reproductive care, while healthcare providers face similar pressures. Many physicians, like Dr. Kylie Cooper, have relocated to states with more supportive healthcare policies due to the threat of legal repercussions limiting their ability to provide necessary care. As a result, the nation is projected to face a shortage of 5,000 OB-GYNs by 2030, exacerbating an already critical maternal care crisis. The situation raises serious questions about the future and accessibility of reproductive healthcare in a post-Dobbs America.