Arizona’s Abortion Restrictions Drain Up to $3.4 Billion Annually, Reveals Shocking Report

Arizona’s recent 15-week abortion ban could cost the state billions annually, according to a new report by the Grand Canyon Institute, a non-partisan think tank. The analysis projects the economic impact could reach as high as $3.4 billion each year due to women being pushed out of the workforce amid limited access to reproductive health care.

The study, which references findings from July by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, raises concerns about a predicted 1% annual drop in labor market participation among women aged 15 to 44. This loss translates to an estimated annual income reduction of $9,564 for affected women and their families.

The source of this potential economic downturn is attributed to Arizona’s gestational abortion ban, which only allows exceptions for life-saving procedures or to prevent significant impairment of a woman’s bodily functions. Violation of this law could result in severe penalties for healthcare providers, including class 6 felony charges with potential prison sentences ranging from four months to two years.

Reproductive rights advocates are rallying for change, aiming to overturn the ban by supporting the Arizona Abortion Access Act in the upcoming November elections. Proposition 139 seeks to cement the right to abortion within the state Constitution, allowing access up to fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks, and would broaden exceptions for preserving a woman’s life and health.

The Grand Canyon Institute’s report highlights the already troubling state of women’s health care in Arizona, as evidenced by its low ranking in maternal mortality rates, where it placed 40th in a 2024 evaluation. The availability of abortion clinics further compounds the issue, with only nine clinics statewide, a stark contrast to the national average of 1.5 clinics per 100,000 women.

The restrictive abortion access is not only a health concern but also poses risks for Arizona’s higher education and business sectors. Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges reveal a significant drop in applications for medical residencies in states with abortion bans. Specifically, Arizona experienced a drastic 18.3% decrease compared to the national average decrease of just 0.4% following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

This decline particularly affects emergency medicine and OB-GYN residencies, raising alarms about the future of healthcare access in the state. The federal government projects a 7% decline in OB-GYNs nationwide by 2030, coinciding with an expected rise in demand.

Analysts from the Grand Canyon Institute emphasize that both prospective talent and businesses are increasingly favoring states with comprehensive reproductive health care access. A national survey indicated that 71% of college students consider reproductive health policies crucial in their college selection process, while a significant 62% of young adults would refuse to move to states with restrictive abortion laws, a critical factor for employers striving to attract skilled talent.

“Arizona is losing out in efforts to attract talent to the state,” the authors of the report caution, highlighting the broader implications of current reproductive health policies on the state’s economic vitality.