Study Finds OB-GYNs Remain in States with Abortion Bans Despite New Restrictions

Since the landmark Supreme Court decision in June 2022 that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, a significant shift has been feared for the healthcare landscape in affected states. Thirteen states have enacted near-total bans on abortion, with six more implementing bans after six to twelve weeks of pregnancy. The change sparked concerns that many obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYNs) might choose to relocate to states with fewer restrictions, seeking safer practice environments.

In response to these concerns, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, led by Assistant Professor Rebecca (Becky) Staiger, conducted an extensive analysis of OB-GYN practice locations before and after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling. Using administrative data from over 60,000 OB-GYNs nationwide, they aimed to determine whether medical professionals are systematically leaving states with abortion bans.

Their findings, published in JAMA Network Open, reveal that contrary to media reports and fears, there has been no significant exodus of OB-GYNs from states where abortion has been restricted. In fact, the number of OB-GYNs increased by approximately 8.3% in states with bans, 10.5% in states where bans are threatened, and 7.7% in states where abortion remains protected, from the time of the ruling through September 2024.

Furthermore, the data showed that the proportion of OB-GYNs in threatened states decreased less than in states with protections, suggesting that the idea of a mass migration in response to the new restrictions might be overstated. This resilience could be attributed to various factors such as physicians’ ties to their communities, personal convictions, and the logistical challenges associated with relocating.

Staiger emphasizes that while individual physicians may choose to leave, the evidence does not support a systematic or large-scale migration away from states with abortion restrictions. She indicates that future research will explore how the composition of OB-GYNs has evolved since Dobbs and investigate the social and political influences on physicians’ decisions to stay or leave.

In conclusion, despite the heightened legal risks and societal tensions following the Dobbs decision, the available data suggest that OB-GYNs are largely remaining in their practices within affected states, countering widespread narrative of a healthcare professional exodus. This insight provides a nuanced understanding of the ongoing impact of abortion laws on medical practice and regional healthcare availability.

For more detailed information, see the original study by Staiger et al. published in JAMA Network Open (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-reproductive-health-restrictions-driven-ob.html