For each state, we used this calculation to give an overall 'score':
score = (# of clinics per 100,000 women in 2008 and 2011 ) * 10 + (% change in # clinics from 2008 to 2011) + (% counties with a clinic) + (% women living in a county with a clinic)
The scores were sorted from least to greatest. From this sorted list, an overall standing was calculated by finding the percentile of a state compared to the rest.
A provider is a hospital, clinic or physician's office where abortions are performed. A clinic is a non-hospital facility that reported 400 or more abortions a year, including abortion clinics and non-specialized clinics.