Looking Back: The Changing Landscape of Abortion Care in Louisiana

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how COVID-19 and the Dobbs decision have worsened access to abortion services in Louisiana, especially affecting marginalized communities, highlighting increased barriers and clinic closures.

Contribution

It provides an updated examination of the evolving landscape of abortion care in Louisiana amidst recent legal and pandemic-related challenges.

Findings

COVID-19 intensified existing barriers to abortion access.

The Dobbs decision led to immediate abortion bans in Louisiana.

Disproportionate impacts on Black and Hispanic communities.

Abstract

This article examines how COVID-19 and the Dobbs decision have impacted abortion services in Louisiana. COVID-19's introduction into an already restrictive landscape of abortion policies intensified the barriers that providers and communities faced, with disproportionate impacts on Black and Hispanic abortion seekers. The 2022 Dobbs decision marked the immediate enactment of Louisiana's abortion ban, resulting in even greater difficulties in accessing abortion services. Concerns raised by Roberts et al. (2021) about the negative effects of clinic closures have only grown since their prescient study.