Examining the Gaps in Support for Families in States with Strict Abortion Regulations
Recent analysis has revealed that states enacting restrictive abortion laws often have inadequate support mechanisms for mothers and children. Tennessee serves as a notable example of this trend. Residents of childbearing age in the state frequently contend with a lack of access to maternal health care services and face a general shortage of physicians. Furthermore, the participation of women, infants, and children in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program is lower than in many other states. Notably, Tennessee is among just ten states that have not broadened Medicaid eligibility to encompass more low-income families.
The shortcomings of safety net programs in Tennessee and other states with stringent abortion regulations have been highlighted through various reports. An important finding indicates that Medicaid does not serve as many low-income families as it could. The Republican-majority legislature in Tennessee has consistently opposed expanding Medicaid to cover individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty threshold—approximately $35,600 for a family of three.
A recent judgment by a federal judge stated that TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program, improperly disenrolled thousands of families and inadequately addressed the loss of coverage for nearly 250,000 children due to administrative issues. Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee contends that his administration has made improvements to the services offered, such as extending Medicaid coverage for mothers from 60 days postpartum to one year, thus allowing approximately 3,000 additional mothers to benefit annually.
Additionally, the state has adjusted the Medicaid income threshold for parents to align with the poverty level, which is close to $26,000 for a family of three, and has introduced a program providing recipients with 100 complimentary diapers monthly for infants under two years old. During his address to lawmakers, Governor Lee emphasized that the pro-life stance encompasses much more than the defense of unborn lives, framing it as a matter of human dignity.
However, many mothers have reported challenges in utilizing these safety net programs, citing excessive bureaucratic hurdles and complications. Anika Chillis, a mother from Memphis, shared her experience with WIC, noting that a renewal error left her without assistance temporarily until the Tennessee Justice Center stepped in to help her regain it. Another mother, Taylor Cagnacci, who has a one-year-old and is expecting another child, discussed her struggles with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), mentioning the difficulties of navigating the process after missing an important appointment. Cagnacci expressed her feelings of frustration, voicing concerns that the system seems designed to deter people from pursuing help.
These challenges are not unique to Tennessee. A survey conducted by KFF found that women with young children in states where abortion access is restricted often encounter similar difficulties in acquiring essential social services. Nearly half of the participants in these states reported challenges in obtaining food stamps, compared to only three in ten respondents from states with more liberal abortion laws.
While charities may step in to provide support, they often fall short of meeting the needs of all families. A report indicated that around 30% of Tennessee’s 2.8 million households earn above the poverty line but still struggle to meet living expenses, frequently disqualifying them from government assistance. The existing charitable organizations, while beneficial, are hindered by the restrictive income criteria set by government bodies. Additionally, many nonprofits face challenges due to the fluctuating nature of donations.
There are growing concerns among nonprofit leaders that these gaps in support could widen, particularly under a new political administration and a Republican-controlled Congress, which may seek significant reforms to federal assistance programs like Medicaid and food stamps. Signe Anderson, a senior director at the Tennessee Justice Center focused on nutrition advocacy, voiced apprehensions about the potential effects of a shift toward cutting social services, highlighting that such conditions could adversely impact families in Tennessee and across the nation.
