Impacts of the 2022 Supreme Court Decision on Abortion Rights and Reproductive Care Access
TL/DR –
The 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization led to increased barriers in access to reproductive care, particularly in underserved communities. The ruling has significantly impacted healthcare providers and training programs, evidenced by closures of 66 abortion clinics, a doubling in out-of-state travel for abortion care, and reductions in OB/GYN preventive visits. Further, there are negative implications for OB/GYN training programs, including shortages of professionals, reduced access to local abortion training, and a decline in applications to residencies in states enforcing abortion bans.
Impact of 2022 Supreme Court Decision on Reproductive Health and OB/GYN Workforce
Three years after the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, new research reveals the substantial influence it has had on reproductive health access across the U.S. This analysis also examines how physicians and training programs are managing changes.
Impact on Women’s Health
The Dobbs ruling has caused significant disruptions in women’s health services, particularly in underserved and rural areas. As reported by the Guttmacher Institute, dozens of clinics have ceased offering abortion care, reducing access to preventative health care in these communities.
Consequently, the number of patients traveling out of state for abortion services has doubled according to the Society of Family Planning. These increased travel distances have placed extra strains on patients, particularly those in the Southeast and Midwest.
Effect on OB/GYN Workforce
Market responses to the Dobbs ruling have had a significant impact on the OB/GYN workforce, causing shifts in the distribution. For example, a recent study in Idaho found that 114 OB/GYNs ceased practice or left the state between 2022 and 2024.
The Dobbs decision has also influenced OB/GYN residency programs, with many no longer offering local abortion training. According to the 2023 and 2024 residency application cycles, there’s a significant decline in M.D. students applying to programs in states with abortion bans.
Role of Accrediting and Regulatory Bodies
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has maintained abortion training requirements for OB/GYN residency accreditation. However, as only a fraction of OB/GYN residency programs in states with abortion bans have established training partnerships, regulatory bodies face challenges in managing capacity.
Policy, Funding, and Market Responses
No federal legislation addressing OB/GYN training access or mitigating post-Dobbs service loss has been enacted as of August 2025. However, states such as California, New York, and Illinois have enacted state policies to provide grants to medical schools hosting displaced trainees.
Outstanding Concerns and Risks
Although some unknowns are now quantifiable, there are still significant uncertainties. These include education bottlenecks, geographic maldistribution of OB/GYN providers, financial sustainability of rotation partnerships, and the long-term impact on reproductive health outcomes. Unless addressed through cohesive policy, these trends could lead to systemic shortages and a fragmented reproductive health system.
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