Support Growing for Medication Abortion and Alternative Care Models Post-Dobbs: JAMA

Recent study focused on investigating changes in national support and personal interest in advance provision (AP) and over-the-counter (OTC) access to medication abortion following the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case. The researchers conducted two nationally representative surveys before and after Dobbs, targeting AFAB individuals aged 15 to 49 years. The results showed a significant increase in national support for AP and OTC access to medication abortion after Dobbs, indicating growing interest in alternative models of abortion care. Specifically, support for AP increased from 48.9% to 55.1%, and support for OTC access rose from 49.4% to 55.2%.

Promising Approach to Abortion Care

The study highlighted the potential of AP and OTC models to offer a promising approach to abortion care, especially for individuals living in states with abortion bans. Personal interest in AP and OTC access also increased after Dobbs, with the OTC model being particularly appealing, especially among marginalized populations facing obstacles in accessing reproductive healthcare services. The findings pointed to the importance of expanding access to medication abortion through these alternative models, emphasizing the benefits of earlier access, convenience, and privacy.

Factors Influencing Support

Significant demographic and health-related factors influenced individuals' views on AP and OTC access. The study identified variations in support based on ideological perspectives, age, political party affiliation, religion, history of abortion, and experiences of medical mistreatment and barriers in accessing healthcare services. Overall, both AP and OTC access models received positive feedback, with individuals recognizing advantages such as earlier access to abortion, privacy, and convenience, as well as concerns about incorrect pill usage and lack of answered questions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study emphasized the increased national support and interest in expanded access to medication abortion through AP and OTC models. These findings suggested a shift towards less medicalized models of abortion care, particularly in response to restrictive abortion policies. The researchers recommended further research to explore the safety, acceptability, and feasibility of implementing these models, highlighting the importance of policy support and insurance coverage to make these approaches widely available to the public.

Key Points

- The study investigated changes in national support and personal interest in advance provision (AP) and over-the-counter (OTC) access to medication abortion post the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case.

- There was a significant increase in national support for AP and OTC access to medication abortion after Dobbs, indicating a growing interest in alternative models of abortion care. - Support for AP increased from 48.9% to 55.1%, and support for OTC access rose from 49.4% to 55.2%.

- The study highlighted the potential of AP and OTC models to offer a promising approach to abortion care, especially for individuals in states with abortion bans.

- Significant demographic and health-related factors influenced individuals' views on AP and OTC access, including ideology, age, political affiliation, religion, abortion history, and experiences with healthcare services.

- The findings pointed to a shift towards less medicalized models of abortion care and recommended further research to explore the safety, acceptability, and feasibility of implementing AP and OTC models, emphasizing the need for policy support and insurance coverage.

Reference –

M. A. Biggs et al. (2025). Changes In Support For Advance Provision And Over-The-Counter Access To Medication Abortion. *JAMA Network Open*, 8. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.54767