Washington, D.C. — New analysis from the Center for American Progress finds that if a nationwide abortion ban were to become law, many states would likely see an increase in maternal deaths—including states where state and local governments are supportive of abortion.
Building on methodology developed by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, CAP reports that Maryland and Nevada could see increases in maternal deaths of more than 30 percent, and states such as Colorado and New Mexico could see rate increases of more than 20 percent. Even states with low current rates, such as Oregon, could experience double-digit increases.
Earlier this year, the CU Boulder researchers found that if abortion is banned throughout the United States, there would be a 24 percent increase in overall maternal deaths nationwide, and African American maternal deaths would rise by 39 percent. The states with the highest expected increases are Florida (29 percent), Georgia (29 percent), and Michigan (25 percent).
“It is no exaggeration to say that because of the state bans already in effect, as well as any potential additional state or nationwide ban, people will die, with Black women and other women of color feeling the most severe impacts,” said Elyssa Spitzer, legal fellow for the Women’s Initiative at CAP and co-author of the column. “These experiences of suffering and risk are unnecessary and completely avoidable.”
Read the column: “Abortion Bans Will Result in More Women Dying” by Elyssa Spitzer, Tracy Weitz, and Maggie Jo Buchanan
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Julia Cusick at [email protected].