Record number of surgical abortion mills close

Over the last 23 years, the number of surgical abortion mills operating in the United States has drastically decreased from 2,176 (in 1991) to 551. The total number of abortion mills today, including medication-only centers, is 739, according to ongoing research by pro-life group Operation Rescue.

This number is still devastating. In contrast with previous years, however, it represents the success of the pro-life movement in changing the landscape of abortion in the United States.

Parallel with the closure of abortion mills is the decline in the overall abortion rate in the U.S. Both the number of abortion mills and the abortion rate have declined at a steady pace, with the last several years seeing more success. Operation Rescue outlined the reasons for this drop in a report:

As abortion facilities continue to close, abortion numbers continue to fall. While national abortion numbers remain incomplete, the average number of abortions decreases by about 3 percent annually. However, state statistics show that the drop in abortions is more pronounced in areas where there are abortion clinic closures.

According to the organization, pro-life legislation tops the list in reasons why the pro-life movement is seeing tangible change in America:

• The enactment and enforcement of new state laws.
• Increased reporting by pro-life activists of incompetent and/or criminal behavior committed by abortionists.
• Financial struggles within the abortion cartel due to decreased demand for abortions.
• The retirement of abortionists who are not replaced.

The tide is turning in favor of life, but there is still work to do. In the words of Students for Life of America president Kristan Hawkins, if pro-lifers remain vigilant, “we can abolish abortion in our lifetime.“