Fewer doctors want to work in states where abortion is illegal
A statistical analysis by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) found that graduates from medical schools are more likely to seek residencies in states where abortion remains legal and accessible. The trend has been steadily increasing since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
In states where abortion is outlawed or effectively outlawed, the number of new MDs applying to residencies dropped 4.2% since last year. Overall, there are fewer medical school graduates seeking work across the country. However, in states where abortion remains legal, the level of applicants only dropped by 0.6%.
When breaking down the statistics by specialty, the number of OB/GYNs who applied for residency programs in states where abortion is legal rose by 0.4%. In states where abortion is outlawed, the number has dropped by 6.7%.
Similarly, pediatrician applicants in states where abortion is illegal dropped by 17.3% since the last cycle. In states where it remains legal, the drop was 8.8%.
While there are other correlated factors to explain the drop, the consistent increase since 2022 leads the AAMC to believe the number and size of the residency programs is less relevant than abortion laws.
“[While] states with more severe restrictions are often less populous (and have fewer residency programs) than other states, U.S. MD applicants may be selectively reducing their likelihood of applying to programs in states with more state-imposed restrictions on healthcare regardless of the number of available residency programs,” the authors of the study led by Kendal Orgera, Senior Research Analyst at the AAMC Research and Action Institute wrote.
"Because these policy decisions appear to affect where physicians plan to practice, state governments and health care leaders need to consider the potential impact of those decisions on the physician workforce,” the authors added.
To date, 14 states have fully banned abortion, and another seven have significant restrictions on the books in the form of gestation limits.
The full analysis is available here.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.