And I agree, if it's done thoroughly.

Two problems:

1. Who has the manpower to go over all these records? Will the hospitals be allowed to take their time, or will Justice rush them?

2. Will women believe that their identities are sufficiently protected? Some anti-abortion activists are known to be violent. More are known to favor harrassment.

An additional thought: Suppose Justice gets the data and it doesn't support the conclusion that they had hoped to reach. Will they then go back to the hospitals and insist that the hospitals give up medical records that are in some way identified as proof that the data is genuine?

That would send it back to the courts, which is OK.

Please note that, currently, the only medical information that attracts the attention of law enforcement concerns injuries inflicted whose cause may be criminal in nature, and diseases spread with criminal intent to assault or recklessly endanger. Typically, Justice only collects data about criminal activities. Abortion has been criminalized before and it may be again. The data collection is worrisome from this perspective. That's what the controversy is really about.