The debate over abortion in the United States has been ongoing for decades.

Despite the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in 1973, access to abortion remains a contentious issue in many states. Today, over 100,000 women each year are denied access to abortion in their home state due to a variety of restrictive laws and regulations.

In recent years, there has been a concerted effort by conservative lawmakers and anti-abortion groups to limit access to abortion. One of the primary ways they have done this is by passing laws that restrict when and how a woman can access abortion services. These laws vary from state to state, but some of the most common restrictions include mandatory waiting periods, counseling requirements, and bans on certain types of procedures.

One of the most common types of abortion restrictions is the requirement for a mandatory waiting period. Currently, 27 states require women seeking abortion to wait a certain amount of time, often 24-48 hours, between the time they receive counseling and the time they can undergo the procedure. Supporters of these laws argue that they are necessary to ensure that women have time to consider all of their options and make an informed decision. However, critics argue that these waiting periods are often unnecessary and serve only to delay and inconvenience women who are already dealing with a difficult decision.

Another common type of abortion restriction is the requirement for counseling before the procedure. Currently, 18 states require women to undergo counseling before they can have an abortion. This counseling may include information about the risks and benefits of the procedure, as well as information about adoption and parenting. Supporters of these laws argue that they are necessary to ensure that women are fully informed before they make a decision about abortion. However, critics argue that this counseling can be biased and may include inaccurate or misleading information.

In addition to these types of restrictions, there are also a number of states that have passed laws banning certain types of abortion procedures. Currently, 11 states have passed laws banning so-called “partial-birth abortions,” which is a term used to describe a particular type of late-term abortion. Supporters of these laws argue that they are necessary to protect the life of the fetus, while critics argue that they are unnecessary and may actually harm women’s health by limiting their options.

All of these types of abortion restrictions have a significant impact on women’s access to abortion. In many cases, they make it more difficult and more expensive for women to access abortion services. This can be particularly problematic for low-income women and women who live in rural areas, who may have to travel long distances to access a provider or who may not be able to take time off from work to comply with waiting periods and counseling requirements.

According to a report by the Guttmacher Institute, a leading research organization on reproductive health, there are currently 21 states that are considered “hostile” to abortion rights. This means that they have passed a significant number of restrictions on abortion and may be actively working to limit access to abortion services. In these states, women may face significant barriers to accessing abortion services, including mandatory waiting periods, counseling requirements, and restrictions on the types of procedures that are available.

As a result of these restrictions, it is estimated that over 100,000 women each year are denied access to abortion in their home state. Many of these women may be forced to travel long distances to access abortion services in another state, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Others may be unable to access abortion services at all, and may be forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term.

The impact of these restrictions on women’s health and well-being is significant. Studies have shown that when women are denied access to abortion, they are more likely to experience negative health outcomes, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.