Study Finds Pregnant Women in States with Abortion Restrictions Are More Likely to Lack Health Insurance and Access Necessary Care
Research shows that pregnant women in states with abortion restrictions are more likely to be uninsured and lack access to essential healthcare, risking poorer maternal outcomes. The study highlights disparities tied to Medicaid policies and restrictive laws.
Recent research highlights significant disparities in healthcare access for pregnant women across U.S. states that have implemented strict abortion laws. The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from 20,919 pregnant women between 2014 and 2022, revealing that women in states with abortion bans or restrictions are substantially more likely to be uninsured, unable to afford a doctor visit, and without a personal healthcare provider.
In 2022 alone, over 258,000 pregnant women lacked health coverage nationwide, with 62% residing in states with abortion restrictions such as Texas, Arkansas, and Florida—all of which had the highest proportions of uninsured pregnant women. Overall, pregnant women in these states faced nearly twice the risk of being uninsured or unable to access necessary care compared to those in states without such restrictions.
The study also found that women with chronic conditions like diabetes, especially those who developed it during pregnancy, are at greater risk of missing essential treatment in abortion-ban states. Further analysis points to Medicaid policies as a key factor driving these disparities: states that resisted Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, set stringent income eligibility thresholds, and restricted coverage for pregnant immigrants experienced markedly poorer healthcare access.
Lead researcher Dr. Steffie Woolhandler emphasized that restrictive policies contribute to some of the worst maternal and infant mortality rates in the country, accusing policymakers of neglecting the health needs of pregnant women. The findings underscore the urgency for Medicaid expansion and policy reforms to ensure comprehensive prenatal care for all women, regardless of their state's abortion laws.
According to Dr. Gaffney, these care gaps will only worsen if federal and state governments cut Medicaid funding further. Experts advocate for expanding healthcare coverage for pregnant women and ensuring access to comprehensive care, including abortion services, to improve maternal health outcomes.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-pregnant-women-uninsured-abortion-states.html
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