Vital statistics data recently released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment shows that in 2023, the largest recorded number of legal abortions were carried out in Kansas on non-Kansas residents — 15,111. That same year, Kansas saw its highest recorded abortions committed — 19,466 —and also saw an uptick in abortions committed on Kansas residents.
According to the 2023 Kansas Annual Summary of Vital Statistics, the 15,111 abortions performed in Kansas for non-residents in 2023 represents a 78% increase from 2022, and a staggering 287% increase in the number of abortions for non-residents from 2020. Additionally, 513 more abortions were committed in the state on Kansas residents in 2023 than in 2022.
The massive surge in abortions is a tragic but predicted consequence of the state’s August 2022 abortion ballot initiative, in which Kansas voters decided that abortion is a “right” granted by the Kansas State Constitution. Voters rejected the Value Them Both Amendment — and as legislators and pro-life activists warned, Kansas since has become an abortion destination for women from surrounding states with pro-life laws: Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri.
Neighboring Missouri, like the other states with new pro-abortion laws, is set to become an abortion destination state soon, due to the passage of Amendment 3.
A Breakdown of Kansas Abortion Numbers by Year, 2020-2023
- In 2020, there were 3,645 abortions performed on Kansas residents, of which 3,625 were performed in Kansas, and 20 were performed out-of-state. There were also 3,901 abortions performed in Kansas for non-residents (Table D4 of report).
- In 2021, there were 3,937 abortions performed on Kansas residents, of which 3,933 were performed in Kansas, and 4 were performed out-of-state. There were also 3,912 abortions performed in Kansas for non-residents (Table D4 of report).
- In 2022, there were 3,844 abortions performed on Kansas residents, of which 3,842 were performed in Kansas, and 2 were performed out-of-state. There were also 8,475 abortions performed in Kansas for non-residents (Table D4 of report).
- In 2023, there were 4,356 abortions performed on Kansas residents, of which 4,355 were performed in Kansas, and 1 was performed out-of-state. There were also 15,111 abortions performed in Kansas for non-residents (listed in Table D4 of report).
The breakdown of Kansas abortion numbers from the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, shows a dramatic increase in abortions committed on non-residents, with an increase from 3,901 abortions performed in Kansas on non-residents in 2020 to 15,111 abortions performed in Kansas on non-residents in 2023. The numbers show a slight decrease in the number of abortions performed in Kansas on Kansas residents from 2021-2022 (3,933 to 3,842), then an increase in the same demographic in 2022-2023 (3,842 to 4,355).
Notably, this data does not contain the numbers of abortions committed in the state with the abortion pill regimen, or other unreported abortions.
A look at Kansas abortion records from 1973-2023 reveals the total number of recorded abortions committed in Kansas did not surpass the 1973 high of 12,612, until 2023 — in which the previous record was surpassed by nearly 7,000 abortions. The 2023 abortion count of 19,466 total abortions is by far a historic number of abortions committed in Kansas.
A look at the demographics of the women obtaining abortions from 2020-2023, referencing the vital statistics summary reports above, reveals that most were unmarried and sought abortions during the first trimester.
Kansas legislators attempt to aid women and babies, despite pro-abortion landscape
In spite of the sobering increase of abortions in Kansas, conservative legislators are successfully working against the opposition of the abortion lobby and the veto efforts of Governor Laura Kelly to pass laws to benefit Kansas mothers, babies, and families.
Lucrecia Nold, Policy Specialist at the Kansas Catholic Conference, told Live Action News, “We’ve, amazingly, been able to get many life-affirming and life-promoting bills passed since the 2022 defeat of Value Them Both. With that defeat we had to reevaluate our strategy, as you can imagine.”
Currently, any proposed bill in the state that would challenge the current law, which allows abortions for any reason until 22 weeks, would be considered unconstitutional.
According to Nold, the new pro-life strategy in Kansas involves passing legislation to allow the state to better care for mothers and babies, encouraging mothers to choose life. Nold said that, while women may not always be shielded from the dangers of abortion, they can benefit from loving and compassionate policies.
Speaking for herself and other Kansas pro-life advocates, Nold explained their hopeful course of action: “We can focus on ways in which we can help provide care and support to moms and families who are in unplanned pregnancies, and support to those who help those moms and babies, like pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes.”
During the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, Kansas lawmakers successfully passed a series of life-affirming bills into law. Governor Kelly vetoed every one — which all provide support to mothers and babies — but the Kansas House and Senate were able to override Kelly’s vetoes.
Life-affirming laws passed in 2023 and 2024
In 2023, Kansas legislators passed the following:
- Born Alive Infants Protection Act: This law grants legal protections to infants born alive regardless of the intent of delivery, which means that abortion survivors will be entitled to the same care after birth as other infants. It ensures criminal penalties and civil liability for violations of the law.
- Abortion Pill Reversal Informed Consent Requirements: This law requires that women undergoing the abortion pill regimen be notified that the effects of the abortion pill (mifepristone) may potentially be ‘reversed.’ The abortion lobby has sued, this law and it is currently not being enforced; however, when it goes into effect, abortion facilities will be required to inform women about the “abortion pill reversal” regimen, so that these mothers have a chance to save their babies if they experience a change of heart.
- Pregnancy Compassion Act: House Bill No. 2429 established a Pregnancy Compassion Awareness Program in order to provide services promoting childbirth to women facing unplanned pregnancies and promote public awareness of such services.
Legislators passed these in 2024:
- Abortion Reporting Law: House Bill No. 2749 requires the reporting of the reasons for each abortion performed at a medical care facility or by a healthcare provider. The abortion lobby has sued, and this law is currently not being enforced; if it goes into effect, women receiving abortions will be able to choose to provide data to the state about their reasons for seeking abortions so that the government will be aware of women’s needs to better address those needs. The law also requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to report abortion statistics biannually within 30 days of the end of each reporting period.
- Abortion Coercion Law: House Bill No. 2436 criminalized abortion coercion, and provided penalties for offenses committed with the intent to compel a woman to obtain an abortion. This law is a significant step toward protecting vulnerable pregnant women.
- Life Tax Program: House Bill No. 2465 grants generous tax exemptions for citizens who promote life. Specifically, the law: 1) Gives a 70% donor tax credit to those who donate to PRC’s and Maternity Homes. 2) Gives a sales tax exemption to PRC’s and Maternity Homes 3) Increases the adoption tax credit for adoptive parents. 4) Creates an adoption savings account for adoptive parents.
Additionally, in those years, Kansas lawmakers secured $4M in state funding for the Pregnancy Compassion Awareness Program, providing for pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes across Kansas.
Kansans continue the fight for life
The dangerously permissive pro-abortion law in Kansas, which guarantees a woman the “right” to kill her preborn child up to 22 weeks for any reason, has tragically opened the floodgates for misguided women seeking to abort their children.
Fortunately, Kansas pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes, supported by newly enacted policies, are able to fill the gap in women’s healthcare that abortion facilities could never fill, providing real support for mothers, babies, and families.
Kansas lawmakers and advocates who truly care for women and their babies have provided a blueprint for states moving into legal landscapes hostile to life, and that blueprint is simply what the pro-life movement continuously aims to accomplish – the active provision of real care for mothers, babies, and families.
Tell President Trump, RFK, Jr., Elon, and Vivek:
Stop killing America’s future. Defund Planned Parenthood NOW!
