The availability of abortion providers in the United States continues to decline, which places a burden on women seeking abortion services. Women may have to travel long distances before they can reach a provider. This travel may take time to arrange, and can lead to an increase in the cost of the procedure. Both the number of facilities and doctors offering abortion care has reduced in recent years. The decline can at least partially be attributed to the difficulty medical students and clinicians experience in receiving training, as well as harassment targeted against abortion providers.

According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, abortion providers decreased by 37 percent between 1982 and 2000. Many doctors who perform abortions are approaching retirement age as well. Planned Parenthood indicates that 87 percent of counties in the United States lack an abortion provider. The counties most affected by this are in rural areas. Based upon National Abortion Federation statistics, less than ten percent of American hospitals perform abortions.

Several factors have an impact on the declining number of abortion providers. Medical training concerning the performance of abortion services is hard to access. According to the American Medical Association, a number of doctors have pointed out obstacles to receiving training at particular institutions. Some abortion providers also face threats and harassment from anti-abortion groups and individuals, a fact which can prevent doctors from working in the field of reproductive healthcare. Increased govt. regulations in some states, such as twenty-four hour waiting periods, have also impacted the accessibility of abortions.

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