Rise in Idaho Abortions

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State health officials say the number of abortions among Idaho women rose 36 percent between 2001 and 2011, with about 40 percent of the procedures happening in other states.

The report by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says the number of Idaho residents getting abortions peaked at 2,348 in 2009 and fell to 2,005 in 2011. The Idaho Statesman reports there also has been a rise in nonsurgical methods for ending pregnancies.

Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Kristen Glundberg-Prossor says Idaho women needing abortions find them difficult to access, forcing them out of state.Washington made up about 72 percent of the out-of-state abortions in the period. A new clinic is to open next month in Meridian. It will be the third one in Idaho to provide abortions.