Abortion Rates in Upper Midwest Continue to Show Decline

By Liz Townsend

Abortions in Wisconsin and Michigan fell during 1999 to rates far below the national average, continuing trends that pro- lifers contribute to informed consent, parental notification, and funding restriction laws, as well as strong education programs that bring the truth about abortion's horrors to the public.

Although encouraged by these statistics, pro-lifers know they face a long battle to save all unborn children. Barbara Lyons, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life, said, "In spite of the continuing decline in abortion in our state, this is not a time to be complacent." She added, "There are still over 11,000 too many deaths by abortion in Wisconsin. It is as important as ever that we continue to bring the right to life message to each and every person in the state."

In Wisconsin, the 1999 abortion rate was 9 per 1,000 women age 15-44, compared to a rate of 10 the year before, a drop of 10%. By comparison, the state's abortion rate in 1980 was 20 per 1,000 women age 15-44.

What does Wisconsin's abortion rate decrease translate into? In 1999, it meant 11,013 abortions--849 fewer than 1998's total of 11,862--and a decline of almost one-half from the 1980 total of 21,754 abortions!

"The decrease in abortion numbers is good news," agreed Barbara Listing, president of Right to Life of Michigan, "but the sobering aspect is what the statistics continue to represent. Each abortion equals the death of a developing unborn child. Each abortion destroys a unique individual with talents never to be repeated."

Michigan's abortion rate was 11.9 per 1,000 women of childbearing age in 1999, down from 12.7 in 1998--a 6.3% decline. Michigan's all-time high abortion rate was 22 per 1,000 in 1987, meaning the 1999 figure represents a decline of a staggering 46%!

In real numbers, the reduction in these rates means that 26,207 unborn babies were aborted in 1999, roughly 23,000 fewer abortion deaths than took place in 1987.

Compared to the national abortion rate of 20 per 1,000 women of childbearing age (as of 1997, the most recent year for which statistics are available), both Wisconsin and Michigan are making great strides in saving unborn babies. Much of the decline, pro-lifers there believe, can be attributed to protective legislation that has been passed in these states.

Wisconsin has a parental consent law, a fetal homicide law, abortion funding restrictions, and other laws that regulate abortion clinics and reporting. A women's right to know law was enacted in 1997 and upheld in its entirety by a federal appeals court in 1999. The legislature also passed a partial-birth abortion ban in 1998, which has been mired in a court battle since then.

A ban on Medicaid funding was enacted in Michigan in December 1988. Since then, the state legislature has also passed a parental consent law that went into effect in 1994, and a women's right to know law that took effect in September 1999.

No matter how long it takes the laws to go into effect, the process of getting the legislation passed provides the opportunity for a great deal of pro-life education about abortion and its effects. Wisconsin pro-lifers have also developed specific education programs that have played large roles in the state's steady decline in abortion rates.

"The people of Wisconsin have been, and continue to be, deeply moved by the right to life message through our Veritas Society television campaign," Lyons said, "through the tremendous education efforts of Wisconsin Right to Life chapters in every county, through the numerous life-affirming laws that Wisconsin Right to Life has helped to pass, and through the discussion of the horrible partial-birth abortion procedure where late-term babies are brutally killed in the process of being born."

As part of its educational effort, Wisconsin Right to Life has run television spots about partial-birth abortion that were prepared by the NRL Educational Trust Fund.

Michigan pro-lifers have also focused on education as well as providing positive alternatives to abortion. "Abortion never needs to be the only choice offered to women in need," Listing said.

"Right to Life of Michigan is working throughout the state to ensure that women know people are willing to support and assist those who are struggling with an unexpected or crisis pregnancy and that's where our 1-800-57 WOMAN number becomes a lifeline for women." This toll-free number, advertised in a media campaign, links women with the help they need to continue their pregnancies and give their children the gift of life.