Dayton vetoes obstruct trend of more teens, women choosing life
The following news release is a follow-up to today's earlier release regarding the latest Minnesota Abortion Report.
ST. PAUL — More women and girls are choosing life for their unborn babies, driving down the number of abortions performed in Minnesota, according to the 2013 Abortion Report issued today by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). About 800 fewer women resorted to abortion last year than in 2012, a decrease of 7.5 percent. The abortion rate fell to its lowest since 1974, and abortions performed on minors fell to the lowest number ever recorded.
But these numbers could have been even lower if Gov. Mark Dayton had not vetoed every effort to protect women and their unborn children.
"Governor Dayton has done everything in his power to slow down the decline in abortions," said Scott Fischbach, Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). "Had he not vetoed bills approved by the Legislature to protect unborn babies who can feel pain, to license and inspect abortion facilities, to ban taxpayer funded abortions and to ban dangerous 'webcam abortions,' even more women, teens and unborn babies would have been saved from the tragedy of abortion."
Many of the 2013 statistics are encouraging. Abortions have decreased nearly 24 percent statewide since the Positive Alternatives program began funding efforts to help pregnant women in need. It is by far the biggest seven-year decline since the state began recording abortion numbers in 1973.
Abortions performed on minors were down 27 percent to 295, representing less than 3 percent of all abortions in the state. This is the smallest number since the state began recording minor abortions in 1975 and follows a general decline in numbers since 1987.
More than 12,000 women received factual, state-provided information about abortion risks and complications, abortion alternatives and much more under the Woman's Right to Know law. MCCL helped to pass the informed consent law in 2003; state abortion numbers have decreased in all but one year since the law took effect.
Not all of today's report is good news, however. Abortions were performed at a rate of more than 27 every single day last year. More than 40 percent of abortions in 2011 were performed on women who had undergone at least one prior abortion; 306 women had four or more previous abortions. The report also shows that African Americans remain a target of the abortion industry. They represent just 5 percent of the state's population, yet 23 percent of abortions were performed on African Americans.
Planned Parenthood performed more abortions than ever last year—a total of 4,370—even as the state total decreased significantly. That was an increase of 11.6 percent over the previous year and 44 percent of the state total. Yet Planned Parenthood continues to claim credit for the decline in the state's abortion numbers.
Tax-funded abortions increased to 34.8 percent of all abortions. This is the highest percentage since the 1995 Doe v. Gomez decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court required taxpayers to pay for abortions performed on low-income women. This percentage has increased nearly every year since the court ruling. Taxpayers have funded 69,265 abortions since the decision.
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The following is additional information concerning "Induced Abortions in Minnesota, 2013, Report to the Legislature," released July 1, 2014, by the Minnesota Department of Health:
The 2013 total of 9,903 reported abortions is the lowest recorded since 1974, and also the lowest abortion rate since 1974 (8.6 per 1,000 females age 15-44). 9,903 abortions equates to more than 27 abortions performed every single day last year
The total number of reported abortions performed in Minnesota since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion on demand: 598,830
40.6% of women who received an abortion in 2013 had at least one prior abortion. A total of 685 women reported they had had 3 or more prior abortions
12,164 women received information about abortion risks, complications and alternatives under the Woman's Right to Know informed consent law, which is 2,261 more than the number who underwent abortions
Planned Parenthood performed an average of nearly 12 abortions every day in 2013, for a total of 4,370. The provider performed 44.1% of all abortions, performing 1,331 more than the next largest provider. It has been the state's largest abortionist since 2004, and increased its abortions by a surprising 11.6% last year even as the state total decreased
Abortionists:
- 123 different people performed abortions in 2013, an increase of 20 over the prior year
- 7 physicians each performed more than 500 abortions last year
- Minnesota's 5 abortion facilities (6 locations) performed 98.8% of all abortions in 2013
With few exceptions, abortions performed on minors have been declining annually since 1987. In 2006, abortions on minors spiked 16% after Planned Parenthood opened two feeder clinics in Twin Cities suburbs and marketed its services to minors. Abortions performed on minors are down 87 percent from the peak of 2,327 in 1980
56% of abortions were used as birth control (no contraception used at time of conception)
Race and abortion: African Americans—5% of population, 23% of abortions; Asians—4% of population, 6% of abortions; Caucasians—87% of population, 47% of abortions; Hispanics—5% of population, 5% of abortions, American Indians—1.3% of population, 2% of abortions
Late-term abortions (after week 22) decreased from 4 to 1. The latest abortion was performed at 23 weeks (in 2012 the latest was at 28 weeks)
Suction was the most common form of abortion, used for 63.2% of abortions. RU486 chemical abortions reached an all-time high of 26.9% of the total, up from 25% from 2012. Six instillation (saline) abortions were performed; sharp curettage (D&C) increased from 8 to 11. Two intact D&X (partial-birth) abortions were reported
Reasons women gave for their abortions (more than one reason could be given):
- Less than 1% for rape, incest (consistent with past years)
- 69% "does not want child at this time" (up 2% from 2012)
- 27% economic reasons (same as 2012)
Complications: 65 reported, down from 116 in 2012
- 11 occurred during abortion procedure (8 cervical laceration, 1 uterine perforation, 2 other)
- 54 occurred after abortion procedure (including 35 incomplete abortions)
MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization with more than 70,000 member families and 200 chapters across the state. For more information about MCCL, visit www.mccl.org.
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