New data shows monthly abortions in the United States rose to 98,630 through June 2025, up from previous years, driven largely by mail-order abortion pills even in states with bans. The Society of Family Planning reported this trend, highlighting telehealth abortions accounting for 27% of cases. Pro-life groups call for federal action to curb the practice.
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in the 2022 Dobbs decision led to stronger pro-life laws in several states, yet abortion numbers have continued to climb. According to December 2025 data from the Society of Family Planning, monthly abortions reached 98,630 through June 2025, compared to 95,250 in 2024, 88,180 in 2023, and 79,620 in 2022. This increase persists despite bans in 13 states with the strictest restrictions, where nearly all abortions are illegal except in limited cases.
Much of the rise stems from telehealth abortions, facilitated by mailing mifepristone and misoprostol—the most common medication abortion method. These pills work by blocking nutrients to the fetus with mifepristone, followed by misoprostol to expel it. In states like Louisiana and Texas, which ban medication abortions, pill-based procedures jumped: Louisiana saw 7,530 in 2024 versus 2,480 in 2023; Texas reported an estimated 35,870 in 2024 against 12,420 in 2023.
Blue states' "shield laws" complicate enforcement, providing immunity to those mailing pills into restrictive states. The data indicates 55% of telehealth abortions occur under these laws, with 14,770 monthly in June 2025. Attorneys general in Texas (Ken Paxton) and Louisiana (Liz Murrill) have targeted senders from states like New York, but with limited success.
The Biden administration lifted in-person requirements for abortion pills as a COVID-era measure, a policy pro-life advocates want the Trump administration to reverse. "This mail order abortion policy from Joe Biden is responsible for increasing the number of abortions in the U.S.," said Kelsey Pritchard of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. The group also seeks the dismissal of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and criticized the FDA's September 2025 approval of a generic mifepristone.
Several Republican-led states, including Florida and Texas, sued the FDA in December 2025, arguing deregulation endangers women. In Congress, 175 House Republicans urged repeal of the rules, and 51 senators called for reconsidering the generic approval. The FDA declined to comment on potential 2026 changes.
At the state level, 2025 saw 17 "equal protection" bills in 15 states, sponsored by 123 lawmakers, aiming to criminalize abortion involvement, including by the mother. "Many red states with so-called abortion bans are seeing higher abortion levels because their bans are no bans at all," noted Bradley Pierce of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion.
Travel for abortions declined slightly in ban states from 2023 to 2024 but remains notable, with tens of thousands affected. Meanwhile, Senator Josh Hawley launched the Love Life Initiative nonprofit to promote family values and pro-life campaigns. "We believe there needs to be a strong voice advocating for life and making it easier to start a family," Hawley stated.
The data excludes informal abortions, suggesting undercounting from unregulated sources.
