New data from the Guttmacher Institute indicate a rise in virtual abortion care, yet the article emphasizes that this development can be misleading. While telehealth has expanded access, it does not replace the necessity of in-person clinic services, particularly for later-term abortions and those needing diverse pain-management strategies. The article stresses that the current majority of abortions are still conducted in traditional clinics, reminding us that while telemedicine provides essential support amid increasing bans, it cannot meet every patient's needs entirely, especially in states with restrictive abortion laws.
My organization was one of the first abortion providers in the country to offer telemedicine back in 2009. And since the FDA allowed abortion pills to be delivered by mail in 2021, we have worked tirelessly to expand our virtual abortion care into 10 states to reach as many patients as possible.
After all, abortions after 12 weeks are provided in clinics, so focusing only on pills and telemedicine neglects patients who are further into their pregnancies or who require a larger range of pain-management options.
The reality is, the Guttmacher numbers showed the majority of abortions last year still took place in brick-and-mortar clinics. That's a crucial detail because despite the headlines and hope around telemedicine, most people still rely on in-person care.
The increase in online-only abortion provision speaks to the critical role that virtual providers play in a time of escalating bans and shrinking access.
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