University of Michigan Study Links Abortion Bans to Higher Premium Costs for Women
Researchers found women in ban states were 5.4% more likely to pay employer-sponsored premiums after 2022, with larger increases for Black and Hispanic women.
- New University of Michigan research indicates women in states with post-Dobbs abortion bans face higher employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, with federal data showing a 5.4% increase in annual expenditures after 2022.
- Researchers compared ten states with near-total abortion bans—Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia—against five without restrictions. "What we see is, prior to the bans, the outcomes were looking comparable," said economist Joelle Abramowitz.
- Expenditures for Black and Hispanic women were significantly higher at 12.8% and 13.7%, respectively. Abramowitz noted that pregnancies in ban states may more often reach delivery, potentially increasing complications that insurers pass to beneficiaries through higher premiums.
- "Our results are suggestive that post-Dobbs abortion bans led to insurers passing more premium costs to beneficiaries," the study stated. These findings reveal far-reaching economic burdens extending beyond individuals directly affected by abortion restrictions.
- Prior research indicates pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care costs average $20,416, including $2,743 in out-of-pocket expenses for employer-plan enrollees. The preliminary study remains unpublished in peer-reviewed journals, highlighting the need for further validation.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Research suggests women living in states with abortion bans bear higher health insurance costs • West Virginia Watch
New preliminary research from the University of Michigan shows women living in states with post-Dobbs abortion bans may be more likely to shoulder costs for employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, with federal data reflecting a 5.4% increase in annual premium expenditures for those women after 2022, when most abortion bans went into effect.
Research suggests women living in states with abortion bans bear higher health insurance costs • Washington State Standard
New preliminary research from the University of Michigan shows women living in states with post-Dobbs abortion bans may be more likely to shoulder costs for employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, with federal data reflecting a 5.4% increase in annual premium expenditures for those women after 2022, when most abortion bans went into effect. The study used […]
Nevada Current
Research suggests women living in states with abortion bans bear higher health insurance costs
New preliminary research from the University of Michigan shows women living in states with post-Dobbs abortion bans may be more likely to shoulder costs for employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, with federal data reflecting a 5.4% increase in annual premium expenditures for those women after 2022, when most abortion bans went into effect. The study used […]
Research suggests women living in states with abortion bans bear higher health insurance costs • Kentucky Lantern
New preliminary research from the University of Michigan shows women living in states with post-Dobbs abortion bans may be more likely to shoulder costs for employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, with federal data reflecting a 5.4% increase in annual premium expenditures for those women after 2022, when most abortion bans went into effect. The study used […]
Abortion bans make health care more expensive
A new preliminary study from the University of Michigan shows that state abortion bans implemented following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in June 2022 are associated with women paying more for health insurance, adding to the financial pressure families face.
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