The Hidden Costs of Abortion Bans: A New Report on Human and Economic Toll

The anthology, The Price of Safety, documents the real-world consequences of laws enacted since the 2022 Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade. Through profiles of patients and business leaders, the report highlights how the criminalization of medical care creates a legal minefield for both doctors and citizens. Dani Mathisen, a Texas native, recounted fleeing to New Mexico for a procedure after discovering a lethal fetal diagnosis, noting that the state’s restrictive laws left her feeling like a criminal for seeking standard medical intervention.

This trend of migration extends to the professional sector. Amanda Ducach, CEO of an AI startup, relocated her family and company headquarters from Texas to Massachusetts, citing concerns over whether she would receive timely, life-saving care during a high-risk pregnancy. Similarly, researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that abortion bans have tangible economic consequences, noting that total bans reduced local rents by an average of 2.2% and increased rental vacancy rates as residents and businesses moved elsewhere.

Despite these findings, the legal and political landscape remains volatile. In Indiana, a court recently issued an injunction against a near-total ban, only to have the state’s attorney general immediately appeal the decision. Meanwhile, in South Carolina and Tennessee, lawmakers continue to push for stricter criminalization, further complicating the environment for healthcare providers and families across the country.