Americans Exhibit Confusion Over Abortion, Miscarriage Definitions Nationwide

Since the 2022 Dobbs Supreme Court decision, abortion laws in the U.S. have become a confusing patchwork, leading to misunderstandings among pregnant people and medical providers about what constitutes abortion versus miscarriage, sometimes with fatal consequences. Research by PRRI found significant public confusion about these terms, partly influenced by religious beliefs, complicating access to care. Meanwhile, international Christian fundamentalist groups, emboldened by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, are organizing anti-abortion marches like the March for Life UK, which is linked to far-right movements and U.S.-based organizations, prompting feminist and migrant groups to organize joyful counter-protests. In the U.S., abortion pill access websites like AbortionFinder.org, funded by foundations historically connected to population control and abortion advocacy, are facilitating abortion referrals despite state bans, facing ongoing lawsuits challenging their legality. Additionally, religious organizations such as the Little Sisters of the Poor continue to resist federal abortion-related mandates from the Affordable Care Act, highlighting ongoing conflicts over religious freedom and reproductive rights. Together, these developments illustrate the complex and polarized landscape of abortion access and activism both in the U.S. and abroad.