The Effect of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Ruling on Obstetric Care Use in the Medicaid Insured Population.

Abstract

Introduction: Women with low incomes are more likely than women with higher incomes to terminate pregnancies to prevent unwanted births. Terminations became less accessible in some states following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling. As women would likely carry pregnancies for longer following Dobbs, we evaluated pre-post changes in the use of Medicaid-funded obstetric care following the ruling.

Methods: This study used a single group interrupted time series analysis design to assess pre-post changes in Medicaid health claims for obstetric care use.

Results: Use of obstetric care among women who were Black and women living in urban areas was most affected by Dobbs. Obstetric care use by these sociodemographic groups immediately increased after the ruling, followed by a decreasing trend in care use.

Conclusions: States with policies that reduce access to abortion care need to prepare for the increased demand for Medicaid-funded obstetric care among women who now must carry their pregnancies to term.