When Rowe vs. Wade was overthrown, most of the country was at a loss. A vital piece of healthcare was stolen overnight. Now, those who have the opportunity to become pregnant have to deal with the sudden emotional and financial burden that improper access to abortion causes.
There are many people who will be affected by this Supreme Court decision. Yes, the biggest groups are women, trans men, and non-binary people, but the economy as a whole could also face some serious repercussions.
Health care costs will skyrocket for those who need abortions
Possibly the largest and most direct financial impact of the cancellation Rowe vs. Wade how this will affect the cost of abortion. As many states are planning or have quickly passed laws criminalizing abortion, those who need an abortion in those states will have to look elsewhere for help.
Christine Charbonneau, former CEO of Planned Parenthood affiliate and current host of the FallOfRoe podcast, further explains:
“First, for people who were born with a uterus, making abortion illegal in many states results in travel, accommodation, and personal medical expenses that are likely to no longer be covered by health insurance.”
Charbonneau also told me that for those who decide (or must) leave their children, the cost of insurance increases substantially, adding another cost to the many other costs associated with having a child.
Read more: New financial costs of abortion
Poverty rates could increase for those who were denied and their children
Many people choose not to have children because they cannot afford it financially. In a study in which participants were asked why they had an abortion, 56% cited financial concerns.
In addition, the American Journal of Public Health published a study looking at the economic consequences of being denied access to proper abortion.
“Over a period of 1 to 5 years after seeking an abortion, women who opted out of childbirth were more likely to report subjective poverty—not having enough money to cover basic living expenses.”
The effects are also not limited to the person who is giving birth. If one or both parents potentially live in poverty, the child is more likely to experience these unforeseen consequences.
The Turnaway Study, a long-term study that examined how unplanned pregnancies affect women’s lives, found that children born after being denied an abortion were more likely to live below the federal poverty level than children born to women who could have had an abortion. earlier in their life.
Reduced labor force participation
Forced birth reduces the overall productivity of the work world as a whole. They are mostly women (or those who give birth to their children) who take vacations or leave their jobs altogether to take care of the child. If birth rates rise, more people could leave the labor force, exacerbating the current labor shortage we face.
This is harmful for both employers and employees.
“If travel is required due to caregiving, absenteeism is costly for the employer, not only for the caregiver, but possibly in terms of family leave for the person accompanying her,” explains Charbonneau.
Many employers now offer inclusive leave options that include both parents, putting two people out of work during an unplanned pregnancy.
The state economy and GDP may also see negative changes
There have already been documented studies that show how restricting access to abortion can negatively affect the economy, especially the economies of states that do not provide access to abortion. As these states are expected to have higher pregnancy rates, the workforce will shrink as more people stay at home with newborn babies.
However, this is not the only problem with higher birth rates. Charbonneau explains that these states must now account for the cost of these extra births.
“States that have made abortion illegal or unaffordable have not accounted for the costs involved. In each of the 50 states, the state currently pays between 47% and 52% of all births and related postpartum costs. Forced pregnancy radically increases the budget needed to fund this policy.”
Who feels the financial impact the most?
It is also important to discuss that not having access to abortion will not affect all people equally.
Those who will suffer the most financially from the cancellation Rowe vs. Wade historically most need access to abortion. This includes:
Those with low income
People with lower incomes often have less access to comprehensive health care and education, which can lead to more pregnancies. Many of the states that impose restrictions on abortion also have the largest number of low-income households.
The overturning of Roe v. Wade is likely to raise the cost of abortion for many people, meaning that low-income households will have less access to the procedure than higher-income households.
Here is more information on how the cost of abortion has changed in the world since Rowe v. Wade.
colored women
Women of color are also affected more by social systems than white women because they live in areas with historically low levels of education in contraception and fewer health care facilities.
In particular, black women have the highest abortion rate, accounting for nearly 24% of total abortions. This means that restricting access can have serious consequences for this part of society.
An unplanned pregnancy will reduce their ability to earn income and at the same time increase their living expenses.
People with disabilities
Persons with disabilities often face discrimination in accessing appropriate health care. Reduced access to abortion could make this another hurdle that people with disabilities will have to face.
Add to this the fact that people with disabilities are three times more likely to experience sexual violence, and the risks are even higher.
Transgender and non-binary people who can get pregnant
Many trans men and non-binary people can still get pregnant. Like the other groups mentioned above, they face increased levels of discrimination in education and healthcare, and they already lack legal protections to keep them safe when seeking health care providers, making abortions even more difficult and costly.
How to support those who need an abortion
Source: Giphy.com
Because there is no real financial benefit in reducing access to abortion, if you are looking for ways to help or need access to safe abortion, there are various abortion funds that you can support or use to get the help you need.
Charbonneau says a good way to find a supplier is to use AbortionFinder.org. In addition, you can find support funds at AbortionFunds.org.
Summary
rollover Rowe vs. Wade will have financial implications for much of the country, both emotionally and economically. This can lead to labor shortages, negative economic consequences, and severe psychological damage to both the mother and child.
Besides, Rowe vs. Wade set the precedent for many of the rulings that gave Americans the right to privacy. Without it, more catastrophic changes could be on the horizon.
To support the fight for health care equity, visit AbortionFinder.org or AbortionFunds.org.
Featured Image: Eli Wilson/Shutterstock.com