OHIO ABORTION SEEKERS CHALLENGED BY TWO-VISIT REQUIREMENT ARE LIKELY TO REPORT MORE CHALLENGES OVERALL

Abstract

Objectives

Ohio, like many restrictive states, requires abortion patients to present in-person for two appointments 24-hours apart. This study seeks to understand which, if any, patient-reported challenges are associated with the two-visit requirement.

Methods

1,361 participants seeking abortion care in Ohio completed an online survey between April 2020 and July 2021. Survey questions addressed challenges experienced, delayed expenses, and actions taken to cover costs. Responses of those who indicated making multiple trips for their abortion care was a challenge were compared to those who did not experience this challenge.

Results

29.4% of participants were challenged by the multiple trips requirement. Participants reporting this challenge were demographically similar by race, sexuality, and gender to those not reporting this challenge. Participants challenged by multiple visits reported twice as many challenges overall than those who were not challenged by multiple trips (mean=4.0 vs. 2.1, p<0.01). Participants challenged by multiple trips took more actions to cover costs (mean=1.1 vs. 0.8 for those not challenged by multiple visits, p<0.01). Overall, 28.5% of participants delayed expenses to cover costs, including 37.8% of those challenged by multiple visits and 24.7% of those not challenged by multiple visits (p<0.01). The number of delayed expenses was greater for those challenged by multiple visits (mean=0.7 vs. 0.4, p<0.01).

Conclusions

Many Ohioans seeking abortion identified the two-visit requirement as a challenge. The two-visit requirement occurs in conjunction with, and likely exacerbates, other challenges, especially financial stressors. Patients should be allowed to work with their care providers to determine the right number of visits for them.