National Background and Context




Abortion Incidence


•In 2017, 17,740 abortions were provided in Washington, though not all abortions that occurred in Washington were provided to state residents: Some patients may have traveled from other states, and some Washington residents may have traveled to another state for an abortion. There was a a 12% decline in the abortion rate in Washington between 2014 and 2017, from 13.7 to 12.1 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. Abortions in Washington represent 2.1% of all abortions in the United States.[1]

Where Patients Obtain Abortions


•There were 51 facilities providing abortion in Washington in 2017, and 40 of those were clinics. These numbers represent a 21% increase in clinics from 2014, when there were 50 abortion-providing facilities overall, of which 33 were clinics.[1]


•In 2017, some 59% of Washington counties had no clinics that provided abortions, and 10% of Washington women lived in those counties.[1]

Restrictions on Abortion

In Washington, the following restrictions on abortion were in effect as of January 1, 2021:

  • An abortion may be performed at or after viability only if the patient's life or health is endangered.


