Health Care Hurdles: The Impact of New Laws on Women's Choices

The Supreme Court has made a big change that affects women's health care. Now, states can stop Planned Parenthood from getting money through Medicaid because it provides abortions. This is a problem because many women rely on Medicaid for important health services like birth control and pregnancy tests. Women aged 19 to 44 make up most of the people who use Medicaid. Before this change, they could get these services in any state. But now, things are getting harder. The Senate has also passed tax cuts for the wealthy, which means cuts to Medicaid are likely next. Most Americans don't want these cuts because Medicaid helps people who need it the most. Researchers talked to 189 women to understand the barriers to abortion access. Many of these women struggle with money and already have kids. They rely on Medicaid and other help programs. The study shows that Medicaid is crucial for women to take care of their families. Some states that ban or restrict abortion also didn't expand Medicaid. This makes it harder to get birth control and abortions. One woman, Maria, is a single mom who couldn't afford birth control or another child. She had to find another way to get an abortion. If Congress passes this bill, more women will face the same tough choices. Cutting social assistance programs makes it harder for women to support their families. As one woman said, if the government won't provide help, it shouldn't control who can have a baby. Abortion bans have big effects. Women in these states are more likely to die during childbirth, especially Black women. Doctors also don't want to work in these states, so health care access is getting worse. The bill could also hurt women in states where abortion is legal. Illinois has used Medicaid to make abortion care cheaper and more accessible. But the bill could undo these gains and increase federal spending. Texas tried something similar in 2013, and it led to more unplanned births and higher costs. Our leaders should focus on increasing health care access, not making it harder to get.