The Future of Abortion in America: A 50-Year Forecast

January 22, 2023 marked what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade — the landmark decision that secured federal protections for abortion across the United States. Today, however, access to abortion varies dramatically from state to state. Trigger bans have already eliminated that right in parts of the Midwest and South, meaning 20 million people have lost access to legal abortion. While this moment marks a devastating setback, we know that making abortion illegal does not eliminate the need for it. People will continue to seek safe and accessible abortion care, no matter where they live. We also know that as a nation, we can do better.

At oyrafem, we remain committed to meeting the needs of people seeking abortion care and will continue to explore every legal avenue necessary to ensure access, no matter someone’s income, location, religious beliefs, physical ability, or skin color. But our commitment doesn’t stop there. The inequities and inadequacies in the way abortion care has been provided in our country need to change, and now is the time to address those challenges.

While this isn’t the future we envisioned for the 50th anniversary of Roe, we are looking ahead and imagining what the next 50 years of abortion care could look like in America. Here’s how oyrafem plans to help usher in this new era of reproductive care:

The Future of Abortion Care: A Vision for the Next 50 Years

As demonstrated in Kansas’ recent state referendum, an overwhelming majority of Americans—regardless of political affiliation—support access to legal abortion care across the nation. This issue is not about politics; it’s about the rights and needs of individuals. It will take a broad coalition of allies working together on legislative, judicial, and political strategies to regain federal protections for abortion, and while this will be a long-term effort, we believe it is not only possible but inevitable.

While we work toward regaining federal protections, oyrafem is already pioneering proactive strategies to meet the immediate needs of people seeking abortions. Here’s how we envision the future of abortion care in the U.S. over the next five decades:

1. Faster Access to Care
oyrafem is working to ensure that same-day availability or immediate evaluation becomes a reality in all the states we serve. Our goal is to eliminate unnecessary waiting times, ensuring that people seeking abortion care are met with responsiveness and compassion.

2. More Affordable Abortion Care
We offer sliding scale fees for medically supported at-home abortion care, with most people paying $225, and we accept Medicaid and private insurance in many states. Additionally, we partner with local and national abortion funds to keep costs as low as possible. We are optimistic that more abortion-supportive states will use state funds to pay for care for low-income individuals, with Medicaid coverage eventually becoming a federal standard.

3. Broadly Understood Information
From the moment someone realizes they may be pregnant, we envision a world where they know exactly what their options are—without having to spend hours searching for information. oyrafem is already creating engaging, accurate, and easy-to-understand content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. We are working toward a future where finding an available abortion appointment is as simple as booking a hotel room.

4. More Convenient Options
We believe in offering clients choices on how they seek abortion care. Whether visiting a private doctor for an in-person procedure, seeing a specialist for an abortion, or having a video consultation from the comfort of home with pills delivered to their door, oyrafem is already leading the way with these options.

5. More Equitable Access
While some online care options may seem out of reach for many, oyrafem is developing low-tech solutions for accessing abortion care, including phone consultations and private text messaging in over 90 languages. Whether in rural areas or urban communities, everyone deserves respectful access to abortion care that aligns with their preferences and values.

6. Stigma-Free Care
We understand that abortion care is viewed differently around the world. As the conversation around abortion evolves, oyrafem is committed to bringing an unapologetic, positive voice to the discussion, gradually chipping away at negative perceptions. As more people share their stories and advocate for access, we believe abortion will become universally recognized as a basic healthcare right—no longer shrouded in stigma.

A Call to Action: Building a Better Future for Abortion Care

We know that we cannot build this better future alone. To make abortion care more accessible during this crucial time in our nation’s history, we need the support of people like you. Your donation will help us continue our mission to expand access to abortion care, ensuring that individuals can access the care they need, when they need it.

Join us in this fight for a better future. Together, we can create a world where every person has the freedom to make their own choices about their bodies and their lives.

Donate now to support oyrafem and help us build a future of accessible, equitable, and compassionate abortion care.