States with stringent abortion restrictions often provide inadequate support for low-income families, according to experts. New research from Northwestern Medicine in Chicago compared abortion laws with state support programs, such as paid parental leave and state-funded nutrition initiatives. Dr. Nigel Madden, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and lead researcher, stated that the states with the strictest abortion laws tend to lack robust public support systems for families.
Research shows that many women seeking abortions live below the poverty line, and most already have at least one child. Though most women in the U.S. still have access to abortion, a small minority face severe restrictions, often affecting the poorest and most vulnerable. More than 28 million women of reproductive age reside in states with the tightest restrictions. The study categorized states based on their abortion laws, ranging from the most restrictive to the least.
Among the 21 states with the strictest restrictions, 14 have near-total bans, such as Alabama and North Dakota. The researchers assessed each state’s reproductive health access, social services, and public support programs. Idaho, with stringent abortion restrictions and limited exceptions, was found to provide the least support to low-income families, along with Alabama, Arkansas, and Missouri. States with more restrictive abortion laws also have higher rates of uninsured women and lower participation in public assistance programs. They often do not mandate paid parental leave, putting further strain on low-income families.
The findings highlight the broader impacts of restrictive abortion policies on disadvantaged populations, especially women who work in unstable jobs or lack access to necessary childcare support. Critics argue that these states fail to support families adequately, creating long-term challenges for women and their children.