Graduating medical students in the United States are increasingly avoiding residency programs in states with stringent abortion restrictions, according to new data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The statistics reveal a 4.2% decline in residency applicants to states with nearly total abortion bans compared to a 0.6% drop in states where abortion remains legal.
Isabella Rosario Blum, a recent medical school graduate, chose residency programs in states like California, Colorado, and New Mexico, where abortion training is more accessible. Blum will begin her residency at Swedish Cherry Hill hospital in Seattle in June.
The trend is notable across various medical specialties, not just those directly involved in providing abortion services like OB-GYNs. The analysis noted particular declines in states with abortion bans, with a 6.7% decrease in applicants to OB-GYN residencies and significant drops in internal medicine.
Jack Resneck Jr., past president of the American Medical Association, expressed concern about the implications of these trends, particularly regarding the ability of physicians to manage complications such as miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. Meanwhile, Beverly Gray from Duke University highlighted that the restrictive environment is deterring top talent from applying to states like North Carolina.
Rohini Kousalya Siva, who will start her OB-GYN residency at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, chose to avoid states with restrictive abortion laws. Similarly, Hannah Light-Olson, who will begin her residency at the University of California-San Francisco, expressed mixed feelings about leaving Tennessee, a state with strict abortion laws.
Debra Stulberg from the University of Chicago warned that this self-selection might exacerbate physician shortages in rural and underserved areas, potentially further concentrating medical professionals in urban areas where access to healthcare is already robust.
The AAMC data underscores a growing disparity in medical training locations, which could have long-term impacts on healthcare access and quality in states with restrictive abortion laws.