Approval for Abortion Rights Surges: Study

A new poll found that support for abortion right is on the rise. The Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll showed that 36 percent of adults feel that women should have the right to choose in "all circumstances." This 13 percent increase reflects a significant increase in approval.

The percentage of adults who are adamantly opposed to abortion fell from 21 percent in 2009 to 17 percent this year, said a statement on the Harris website.

"Despite the current trend of fiscal conservatism in the United States stemming from the economic downturn, Americans overall remain socially moderate on abortion rights," said Jennifer Colamonico, senior vice president for healthcare research at Harris, in the statement.

The online survey enrolled 2,400 adults in early July and ironically came at a time when many states are going to drastic measures to restrict access to abortion.

Wichita, Kansas native Dr. Mila Means, a physician trying to open an abortion clinic in Wichita, received a letter kindly advising her to "check under her car every morning" recently. The letter also said, "because maybe today is the day someone places an explosive under it." The last doctor who offered abortions in Wichita was shot and killed two years ago.

Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, said, "We will ensure that this community remains abortion free." Numerous pieces of anti-abortion legislation were introduced this year, one of them denying licenses to the two or three remaining clinics, making this a sort of uphill battle.

Other drastic measures include cutting funding to Planned Parenthood, a clinic offering STD testing and abortions and requiring women to have an ultrasound before having an abortion.