30 July 22: The decline of the anti-abortion states

We may soon start witnessing the decline of the anti-abortion states as physicians, women and businesses move elsewhere. Young physicians will be less likely to train, move into or stay in these states. As noted at https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/training-doctor-taught-abortion-care-america-rcna40338, abortion is routine healthcare for pregnant women, and physicians may be reluctant to work in a setting in which they may be charged with a felony simply for acting in the best interest of their patient.

Young women are also less likely to move into or stay in anti-abortion states because if they become pregnant, intentionally or not, they want to know they can get the best health care possible. But this is less likely to happen in an anti-abortion state because their physicians must also consider whether providing optimal treatment will expose themselves to criminal prosecution.

Finally, businesses will follow the "brain drain" and move from anti-abortion to pro-choice states. Since many anti-abortion states also have policies discriminating against LGBTQ and non-White individuals, as well as abundant voter suppression laws, this becomes an easier decision for businesses to make. This may accentuate the blue versus red state divide that currently exists, see https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/26/politics/red-states-blue-states-control-of-national-policy-fault-lines/index.html .