Table 2.
Respondent knowledge of their state's abortion laws from a survey of knowledge about abortion in the U.S. in 2019.
| Question | n | Correct | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|---|
| If a woman were 15 weeks pregnant and healthy, would it be legal for her to get an abortion in [your state]? | 1039 | 28% | 25–31 |
| If a woman were 15 weeks pregnant and the pregnancy threatened her life, or was the result of rape, or was the result of incest, would it be legal for her to get an abortion in [your state]? | 1040 | 46% | 43–49 |
| In [your state], is there a law that requires a doctor to review a script or specific information with women prior to an abortion? | 1039 | 16% | 13–18 |
| In [your state], is there a law that requires minors to get parental consent and/or notify their parents before an abortion? | 1040 | 27% | 24–30 |
| In [your state], is there a law requiring women to have an ultrasound before an abortion? | 1039 | 15% | 13–17 |
| In [your state], is there a law that married women have to have their husband’s consent before an abortion? | 1040 | 24% | 21–27 |
| In [your state], is it legal to have an abortion based on whether the woman wants a boy or a girl? | 1039 | 10% | 8–12 |
| In [your state], is it legal to have an abortion because the fetus has Down syndrome? | 1038 | 11% | 19–24 |
| In [your state], is there a law that requires a woman seeking an abortion to wait a specified period of time between receiving counseling and when the procedure is performed?1 | 1038 | 15% | 13–17 |
| In [your state], does Medicaid cover abortion without restrictions?2 | 1034 | 4% | 3–6 |
1
Respondents who answered yes were then asked about the length of the waiting period (e.g. 24 h). Each question was worth one point. Those who correctly said their state had no waiting period received two points and did not see the second question.
2
Respondents who answered “yes, but only for some reasons” were then asked for what reasons Medicaid could cover abortion (e.g. for rape, incest or threat to the mother’s life). Each question was worth one point. Those who correctly said their state had Medicaid funding regardless of the indication received two points and did not see the second question.