Some states on track to restore abortion access, while others push for fetal rights in 2025 • Virginia Mercury

States will continue to introduce and consider legislation to expand or restrict access to reproductive health care and abortion as legislative sessions begin.

States with broad reproductive rights protections have introduced bills to shield patients and doctors if the incoming Republican administration overturns protections implemented under President Joe Biden . States with strict bans, meanwhile, have started floating fetal personhood bans, abortion pill punishments and other restrictions.

Tennessee has a strict abortion ban with some health exceptions.

Seven states voted to expand, protect and restrict abortion access following ballot initiatives.

The three states where measures failed were Florida , Nebraska and South Dakota .

At least one state will attempt to qualify an abortion ballot question for the 2026 midterms.

Michigan 's Senate advanced a package of eight bills called “ Momnibus ,” aimed at improving maternal health outcomes.

Virginia lawmakers are also preparing to consider maternal health care bills that would include remote monitoring services for some high-risk patients in rural areas.

In Kentucky , a state with a near-total abortion ban, there is a push to establish special insurance coverage periods two years postpartum.