Kansas abortions rose 57% in 2022, fueled by out-of-state patients

The state reported its highest number of abortions in decades last year, after the overturning of Roe sent thousands of out-of-state women to Kansas clinics.
WICHITA, Kansas — Abortions rose sharply in Kansas last year as women fled abortion bans and restrictions in their home states following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

In data released Friday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment department reported 12,318 abortions occurred in the state in 2022 — a 57% rise from the year prior.

Over two-thirds of patients traveled from other states, primarily Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Abortion numbers for Kansas residents dropped slightly.

Abortion providers in the state reported skyrocketing demand in the months after the court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision that overturned Roe. Many say they only have capacity to see a small fraction of those who call seeking appointments.