Report Reveals Arizona’s Abortion Ban Could Drain State Economy by $3.4 Billion Annually

Arizona’s recently implemented 15-week abortion ban is projected to inflict severe economic damage, costing the state as much as $3.4 billion annually, according to a new analysis by the Grand Canyon Institute. The non-partisan think tank emphasizes that restrictive reproductive health care is likely to push women out of the labor market, leading to significant workforce losses.

The report references a study from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, which indicates that labor market participation among Arizona women aged 15 to 44 could decline by 1% each year due to these restrictions. This decline equates to an annual income loss of approximately $9,564 for affected women and their families.

The core of the issue lies in Arizona’s gestational ban, which prohibits abortions after 15 weeks, with narrow exceptions for life-threatening situations or to prevent major bodily harm. Physicians who breach this law face serious consequences, including a potential class 6 felony charge, which carries a prison sentence of four months to two years.

In response to these restrictions, reproductive rights advocates are rallying support for the Arizona Abortion Access Act, or Proposition 139, which aims to constitutionalize abortion rights in the state. This proposition seeks to ensure access to abortions up to the point of fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks, with additional exceptions for protecting a woman’s life or health.

The Grand Canyon Institute’s report highlights the dire state of women’s health care in Arizona. The state ranks poorly in maternal mortality, coming in at 40th place nationally. Furthermore, the availability of abortion clinics is significantly below the national average, with only nine clinics across the state, primarily concentrated in Maricopa County.

With the continued restrictions on abortion access, various sectors, including health care and higher education, are expected to suffer. A study by the Association of American Medical Colleges revealed a sharp drop in applications for medical residencies in states with abortion bans. In Arizona, applicant interest fell by 18.3% during the 2023-2024 application year, substantially exceeding the national average decline of 0.4%.

Emergency medicine and obstetrics-gynecology residency applications faced the most significant downturn in Arizona. If this trend persists, the state’s health care landscape may face long-term challenges. Projections suggest a nationwide 7% decrease in OB-GYNs by 2030, while demand for these professionals is simultaneously expected to rise.

Moreover, the report suggests that students and businesses are increasingly eyeing states that offer comprehensive reproductive health care. A national survey showed that 71% of college students value reproductive health care policies in their enrollment decisions, while 62% of individuals aged 18 to 34 would decline relocation to states with strict abortion laws. This trend poses a challenge for Arizona’s efforts to attract and retain talent.

“Arizona is losing out in efforts to attract talent to the state,” declared the authors of the Grand Canyon Institute report. The implications of the abortion ban extend beyond individual rights, potentially stunting the state’s workforce and business growth.