State abortion rates. The impact of policies, providers, politics, demographics, and economic environment

J Health Econ. 1996 Oct;15(5):513-53. doi: 10.1016/s0167-6296(96)00494-8.

Abstract

This paper uses data on abortion rates by state from 1974-1988 to estimate two-stage least squares models with fixed state and year effects. Restrictions on Medicaid funding for abortion are correlated with lower abortion rates in-state and higher rates among nearby states. A maximal estimate suggests that 19-25% of the abortions among low-income women that are publicly funded do not take place after funding is eliminated. Parental notification laws for teen abortions do not significantly affect aggregate abortion rates. A larger number of abortion providers in a state increases the abortion rate, primarily through inducing cross-state travel.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Legal / economics
  • Abortion, Legal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aid to Families with Dependent Children / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Aid to Families with Dependent Children / statistics & numerical data*
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys / methods
  • Humans
  • Least-Squares Analysis
  • Medicaid / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Medicaid / statistics & numerical data*
  • Politics
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy in Adolescence / statistics & numerical data
  • Public Policy*
  • State Health Plans / economics
  • United States / epidemiology