Iowa experiences a scarcity of obstetrician-gynecologists. Potentially, the state's abortion legislation could be a contributing factor in some practitioners leaving the profession.

In a recent study, researchers have found no significant departure of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) from states with abortion bans two years after the Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The study, which covers the period from September 2024, focuses on states that have enacted abortion bans.

The Dobbs decision, a landmark ruling handed down by the Supreme Court in 2022, overturned the constitutional right to abortion, allowing states to regulate or ban the procedure as they see fit. This decision has raised concerns about the potential impact on the availability of reproductive healthcare, particularly in states with abortion bans.

However, the new study does not compare the number of OB-GYNs in states with abortion bans to those without such restrictions. Instead, it focuses on the internal dynamics within states with abortion bans. The study does not delve into the reasons why OB-GYNs might choose to stay or leave these states, nor does it provide any information about the quality of care provided by these healthcare professionals.

The study does not include Idaho, as an earlier study focused on its situation two years after enacting its highly-restrictive abortion law. That earlier study found that Idaho lost 35% of its OB-GYNs practicing obstetrics during that period.

Another study, analysing federal data from January 2018 to September 2024, reached a similar conclusion. It found that OB-GYNs aren't leaving states with abortion bans two years after the Dobbs decision. This new study, conducted from September 2024, further corroborates these findings.

Interestingly, the study does not provide information about the impact of the Dobbs decision on the number of OB-GYNs in states without abortion bans. This is an area that future research may focus on to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the broader impact of the Dobbs decision on reproductive healthcare availability.

In conclusion, the new study provides reassuring news for states with abortion bans, suggesting that the Dobbs decision has not led to a significant exodus of OB-GYNs from these states. However, more research is needed to fully understand the broader implications of the Dobbs decision on reproductive healthcare access.