Pregnancy and Women's Health: The Economic Impacts of Abortion Bans
Economic Implications of Abortion Bans
FRIDAY, Jan. 10, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- States with strict abortion bans are losing residents, particularly younger individuals, which could have long-term economic implications. In the wake of the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, a recent analysis published by the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that the 13 states with total abortion bans collectively lost roughly 36,000 residents per quarter.
Analysis Findings
The analysis utilized U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data and found that single-person households were most likely to move, indicating that younger people are indeed leaving abortion-ban states. Families often encounter more challenges when relocating, like changing schools or modifying their careers.
Impact on Workforce and Growth
Access to abortion isn’t merely a cultural issue; it bears significant economic consequences. The study highlights that younger workers are crucial for state economies, and their departure could hinder growth. As noted by researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology and The College of Wooster in an email to CBS, "Employers in states with bans may face challenges in attracting and retaining workers, particularly younger employees, which could impact economic growth.”
Future Projections
If this trend persists, states with abortion bans could potentially lose nearly 1% of their population over five years, the researchers concluded. Furthermore, many states that enforce abortion bans also rank poorly in providing adequate safety nets. Challenges vary from limited access to food assistance to insufficient maternal care.
For instance, Tennessee extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from 6 months to a year in 2022, benefiting an additional 3,000 mothers annually. Nevertheless, the state still struggles with enrollment in maternal support programs and lacks paid family leave, according to an October study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
Challenges in Abortion-Ban States
- Women with Young Children Face Access Issues
- A KFF survey revealed that nearly half of women with young children in abortion-ban states reported difficulties accessing services like SNAP.
- This contrasts starkly with the experiences of women in states where abortion is accessible, where only 3 in 10 reported similar issues.
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