Title: The Hyde Amendment in action: how did the restriction of federal funds for abortion affect low-income women?

POPLINE Document Number: 015456

Author(s):

Cates W Jr

Source citation:

JAMA, 1981 Sep 4;246(10):1,109-12.

Abstract:

The Hyde Amendment, which restricted the use of federal funds for abortion in the US, was implemented in August 1977 and remained in effect for the subsequent 2 1/2 years. The Hyde Amendment primarily affects the Medicaid program (Title 19 of the Social Security Act), which uses combined federal and state funds to pay the cost of medical care for indigent populations. Low income pregnant women are directly affected by this policy. Focus in this discussion is on the health impact of the Hyde Amendment during the period when it was in effect, August 1977-February 1980. In fiscal year 1977, the year before the Hyde Amendment, approximately 1/4 of the 1.3 million abortions in the US were obtained by low income women and were financed by a combination of state and federal Medicaid funds at a total estimated cost of US$87 million. Approximately 295,000 low income women actually obtained publicly funded abortion. Assuming no increase in the number of abortions desired by low income women, this figure represents the minimum estimate of the women that were affected by the Hyde Amendment. Another 132,000 Medicaid eligible women were estimated to be in need of abortion services before the Hyde Amendment, but these were not included in the population at risk. In fiscal year 1978, the 1st year of implementation, an estimated 2100 abortion qualified under the limited conditions for federal matching funds. During the 2nd year of the Hyde Amendment, approximately 4000 abortions were performed for which federal reimbursement was claimed. The restrictive legislation lowered the number of federally financed abortions for Medicaid eligible women to about 1% of the prerestriction level. Although the Hyde Amendment was effective in nearly eliminating federally financed abortions, an estimated 94% of pregnant, low income women "at risk" obtained a legal abortion, 65% with state funds and 29% with other funding sources. About 5% of low income women continued their pregnancies to term. An estimated 1% resorted to illegal abortion. The results are contrary to both "prolife" and "prochoice" advocacy group predictions.

Keywords:

United States
Abortion
Abortion Law
Low Income Population
Financing, Government
Medical Assistance, Title 19
Maternal Health
Women
North America
Americas
Developed Countries
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Social Class
Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Financial Activities
Public Assistance
Health
Demographic Factors
Population