Abortion is a basic, safe health care service that should be affordable and accessible for all people. One in four people capable of getting pregnant will have an abortion in their lifetime. Despite the undeniable need, a patchwork of state abortion bans and federal restrictions mean that where you live often determines your ability to reliably access abortion care. This is particularly true for Medicaid enrollees, as the Hyde Amendment, a budget rider that prohibits most federal funding for abortion coverage, functions as a de facto abortion ban for many. Limits on federal funding for abortions cause significant harm to people with low incomes, in particular Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, LGTBQI+ individuals, disabled people, young people, and residents of rural areas.
The harm of these structural barriers to accessing abortion care have been worsened by the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Now more than ever, a person’s ability to access abortion often depends on their income and zip code – and Medicaid enrollees are often the least equipped to deal with the unexpected costs associated with seeking an abortion in the current landscape. Comprehensive insurance coverage of abortion is one of the most crucial factors in rebuilding an equitable abortion access landscape.
Please see the NHeLP Abortion is Health Care page for more information.
