A federally funded study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the first 14 states to restrict abortion after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization led to 22,181 more births than expected, with birth rates increasing most among racial minorities, younger women, and Medicaid beneficiaries. Researchers noted a concurrent rise in infant mortality rates and suggested that many women carried unintended or high-risk pregnancies to term, while experts remain divided on the broader implications of abortion restrictions and their political impact. Originally published in The Washington Times.

Suzanne Bell and Alison Gemmill are quoted.