Abortion Restrictions and Abortion Rates: Has State Abortion Policy Been Successful?

This study tests the hypothesis that state abortion rates are influenced by state restrictions on abortion. Earlier studies have shown mixed results. I develop a model of abortion rates for the time period from 1988 through 1996 and hypothesize that the adoption of abortion restrictions requiring parental involvement for minors, abortion‐specific informed consent, and waiting periods prior to the procedure lead to lower state abortion rates. I further hypothesize that individual four‐year models of the period before and after the Casey (1992) decision will demonstrate that this effect was strongest in the time period after the Casey decision. Analysis of the data confirms the first hypothesis that restrictions have a significant impact on abortion rates while controlling for other factors that influence the abortion rate. The second hypothesis is not confirmed, as the effect is significant prior to the Casey decision.