Whose Choice: State Legislation and the Incidence of Abortion

• In Event: 4463 - Framing Reproductive Decision-making

Abstract

Although the incidence of abortion in the U.S. has declined, it remains a deeply divisive issue. There is a depth of research on individual predictors of abortion and the impact abortion restrictions have on state abortion rates. However there is a lack of analysis that evaluates the influence of personhood laws on abortion. This analysis examines the impact of state fetal homicide legislation and abortion restrictions on state abortion rates. Using original panel data from all 50 states and Washington D.C. for 2001-2014, we test whether changes in state policy are associated with changes in state abortion rates. Using fixed- and hybrid-effect models, we find that implementation of fetal homicide legislation is associated with decreases in the abortion rate within states. In contrast, increases in policy restriction abortion access are associated with increases in abortion within states. This analysis indicates current state policies may have unintended consequences, and the impact on women's maternal decision-making should be evaluated.

Authors

• Stephanie Woodham Burge, University of Oklahoma

• Chancey Herbolsheimer, University of Oklahoma