In 2024, more than 28,000 Texans traveled beyond state lines to obtain abortion care, the highest number recorded for any U.S. state, according to a recent report by the Guttmacher Institute. This figure represents nearly one-fifth of the approximately 155,000 individuals nationwide who sought abortion services outside their home states that year.
Texas’ stringent abortion laws, which ban most procedures except when the pregnant person’s life is at risk, have compelled residents to seek services in at least 14 other states, including New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado. Notably, over 12,000 Texans obtained abortions in New Mexico, nearly 6,800 in Kansas, and more than 4,100 in Colorado.
The process of obtaining out-of-state care often imposes significant challenges, including financial burdens, time off work, childcare, and travel logistics. Despite these hurdles, the number of Texans traveling for abortions has continued to rise. Organizations like Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast have provided financial assistance to over 3,000 patients since 2021, covering expenses such as gas, lodging, meals, and childcare.
In response to local initiatives aimed at assisting abortion travel, Texas officials have taken measures to restrict such support. Attorney General Ken Paxton shut down a San Antonio program offering $100,000 for abortion travel assistance and sued Austin over a similar $400,000 initiative. Additionally, Senate Bill 33 was enacted, banning government funding for abortion-related travel expenses.
The legal landscape in Texas has become increasingly complex since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The Texas Heartbeat Act, enacted in 2021, prohibits abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy and allows private citizens to sue anyone who performs or aids in an abortion. This law, coupled with the state’s trigger law banning nearly all abortions, has created a chilling effect on abortion access within Texas.
The surge in out-of-state abortions among Texans underscores the broader national debate over reproductive rights and access to care. As states continue to implement varying abortion laws, individuals seeking these services must navigate a patchwork of regulations, often facing significant personal and financial obstacles.
