FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2022
Contact: Mary Owens, [email protected]
South Dakota’s Abortion Rate Dropped 70% in Noem’s First Year
Washington, D.C. – The national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) celebrated today as South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (R) signed legislation that codifies in law state-level safeguards blocking the distribution of dangerous chemical abortion drugs through telemedicine. Proposed by Gov. Noem, H.B. 1318 passed by overwhelming margins in the state legislature.
In 2021 the Biden administration moved to weaken longstanding federal safety regulations against mail-order abortion drugs designed to protect women from serious health risks and potential abuse. The Biden administration policy allows for dangerous at-home, do-it-yourself abortions without necessary medical oversight.
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser praised Gov. Noem and the South Dakota Legislature, saying:
“We are proud to stand with Governor Noem, the South Dakota Legislature, and all our local allies working tirelessly to safeguard women and children. Under Noem’s leadership, South Dakota has achieved a record low abortion rate and continues to set a standard for what a pro-life America looks like. The permanent protections enacted today are vital to stop the proliferation of dangerous mail-order abortion drugs, which puts both unborn children and their mothers at serious risk. Pushed by the profit-driven abortion industry and the Biden administration, these drugs are sending women to the emergency room at a rate that has increased more than 500% since the early 2000s. We thank Gov. Noem, the legislature, and all pro-life South Dakotans for taking swift action to fight back.”
A recent, first-of-its-kind study published in the journal Health Services and Managerial Epidemiology found that the rate of abortion-related emergency room visits following a chemical abortion increased by more than 500% from 2002 through 2015. In the last year Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas have enacted state-level safeguards against mail-order abortion drugs, with additional states considering action.
Noem has previously signed into law measures that ensure babies born alive after failed abortions receive medical care and that stop lethal discrimination abortions based on a Down syndrome screening, and has proposed legislation to protect unborn children from abortion when their heartbeat can be detected.
SBA List is a network of 900,000 pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
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