What could happen if Roe v Wade was overturned?

Answer 1

Reinstitution of back-alley abortions, which often result in a significant health care crisis or death. While the US and state governments aren't required to use tax money for abortions; they can't refuse to treat someone suffering the after-effects of a botched abortion.

There would probably be a black market for abortion pills, which women intent on having an abortion would likely purchase over the internet, if necessary. The internet has thus far proven impossible to regulate effectively.

Women who might have had abortions because they didn't have the means to care for a child would live in poverty and require significant social services and other government support to survive.

Adoptions would increase, but supply might overwhelm demand, allowing adoptive parents to be choosier about selecting a baby, and leaving those with health and potential emotional problems (based on known background, drug exposure, etc.) wards of the state.

Like it or not, there would be a pool of unwanted children who may not be absorbed by the foster care system, and who would grow up in institutions without loving parents to care for them.

The social and financial burden on society would be huge. Those who are pro-life would probably complain about big government and deficit spending, without realizing the policies they promote would be largely responsible for the situation.

In summary: making abortion illegal would not stop abortion, only make it more dangerous or change the way abortion is accomplished; making abortion illegal would create a black market for abortion drugs; making abortion illegal would increase the burden on society through higher costs of health care and other social programs. Someday, people may recognize that certain negative aspects of society will endure, regardless of laws or individual religious beliefs.