According to the CDC, there are 625,000 abortions in the U.S. per year. Several sites say only 1% of abortions are performed after 20 weeks. So 6,250 abortions occur in the final four months of pregnancy. If there are 330 million people in the U.S. and New Hampshire has 1.4 million people, abortions in New Hampshire after week 20 can be estimated at 1.4/330 x 6,250 = 27 New Hampshire abortions probably occur after week 20. But the New Hampshire abortion law effective 1/1/22 allows abortions up to 24 weeks. Did you know that? I didn’t. So therefore, New Hampshire allows for one more month beyond the 20 week statistic, so 25% (1/4th of the last four months) of the 27 later term abortions are still allowed in New Hampshire.
If the logic is correct, then we are discussing 20 abortions in New Hampshire from week 24 to week 39. And the New Hampshire law has exceptions for life of the mother and life challenging issues with the fetus beyond the 24 weeks. Therefore we are likely debating 20 abortions in New Hampshire, and maybe less if some of those abortions are because of life threatening issues. So, in reality, aren’t we a lot closer together on this issue than what the politicians and attack ads say? Can’t we come together and figure out the last 20?
Luke Pickett
Stratham