A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has found that pregnant women living in states with abortion restrictions face significant barriers to routine medical care. The research analyzed data from 20,919 pregnant women who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) between 2014 and 2022. Key findings include:
- Nearly one-third of the 258,362 pregnant women without health coverage in the US lived in states with abortion restrictions.
- Texas had the highest rate of uninsured pregnant women at 21%, followed by Arkansas at 18.8% and Florida at 18.6%.
- In contrast, California had a significantly lower rate of uninsured pregnant women at just over 0.5%.
Financial Struggles and Uninsurance
Compared to their counterparts living elsewhere, pregnant women in states with abortion restrictions faced:
- Higher rates of uninsurance (15% vs. 10%).
- Increased difficulty affording a doctor’s visit due to financial reasons.
These findings are concerning, as pregnancy is a critical period for healthcare access and utilization for both mothers-to-be and their newborns.
Urgent Need for Support
The researchers highlighted areas where targeted support is urgently needed, particularly for those living under restrictive abortion laws. Addressing these disparities will require policymakers’ attention to improve access to health insurance coverage for low-income individuals during pregnancy.
Importance of Comprehensive Policies
In an interview, experts emphasized the importance of addressing these disparities, stating, "This is not just about reproductive rights; it’s about maternal mortality rates… We need more comprehensive policies around reproductive health."
These comments come as several Republican-led states have implemented or proposed stricter abortion bans since the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the SCOTUS ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. These bans have raised concerns among healthcare providers about their impact on patients seeking abortions or other reproductive services.
Advocacy for Healthcare Access
In response to these concerns, organizations like ACOG are working tirelessly to advocate for greater access to healthcare services during pregnancy. Their policy work focuses on maternal mortality reduction initiatives, particularly addressing racial equity issues that primarily affect Black mothers nationwide.
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