MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After relocating from California to Tennessee, Taylor Cagnacci hoped to embrace a new life marked by the state’s appeal of affordable living and stunning landscapes. However, she is deeply frustrated with the inadequate social services available to families, particularly in a state that has imposed strict abortion bans with limited exceptions.

“I was determined to keep my child, but for many other women, the situation is disheartening,” expressed Cagnacci, a 29-year-old mother from Kingsport who depends on Medicaid and federally funded nutrition programs. “You may have to bring a child into the world, but what kind of support can you expect afterward?”

Recent studies reveal that Tennessee’s support system for mothers and young children is lacking. While the exact number of women who have given birth due to limited access to abortion is unknown, it is evident that Tennessee women encounter more challenges during pregnancy and in ensuring a healthy and financially stable family life compared to the average American mother.

Similar to other states with stringent abortion laws, women of reproductive age in Tennessee often live in areas with inadequate maternal care and face shortages of healthcare providers. Enrollment in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program is also lower here. Furthermore, Tennessee is one of only ten states that have yet to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income families.

“It’s a daily struggle for survival,” stated Janie Busbee, founder of Mother to Mother, a Nashville nonprofit that provides essential baby supplies to low-income mothers. “If we could alleviate some of that stress, perhaps they could find the time to dream.”

Following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, Republican leaders in Tennessee claimed they are enhancing family services. The state extended Medicaid coverage for mothers from 60 days postpartum to one full year, allowing an additional 3,000 mothers to benefit each year.

Moreover, the state raised the Medicaid income cap for parents to the poverty line—approximately $26,000 for a family of three—and now provides 100 complimentary diapers per month for babies under two. According to the governor’s office, these modifications have enabled thousands of new parents to access government resources.

“Being pro-life means much more than just protecting unborn lives,” stated Republican Governor Bill Lee during his annual address to the legislature in 2023 and reiterated on social media. “This transcends politics; it’s about upholding human dignity.”

Nonetheless, nonprofit leaders and mothers highlight pronounced gaps in the safety net. Anika Chillis, a 39-year-old single mother from Memphis who utilizes Medicaid, WIC, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), acknowledges the help she receives but expresses concern over its inconsistency—particularly after she temporarily lost WIC.

“It’s tough,” she remarked, observing her two-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter play in a nearby park. “Grocery prices keep rising. Being a single parent makes things exponentially more difficult.”

In a recent study, Tennessee ranked poorly in WIC enrollment, Medicaid coverage, maternal care availability, and regulations surrounding paid family and medical leave. Other states with similar abortion restrictions, such as Idaho and Alabama, also exhibited high birth rates and low abortion rates.

“Generally, states that have more restrictive abortion policies tend to be fiscally and socially conservative,” explained Dr. Nigel Madden, the lead researcher of the study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The Republican-controlled Tennessee legislature has consistently opposed expanding Medicaid to cover individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line (roughly $35,600 for a family of three). This year, a federal judge criticized TennCare for improperly terminating coverage for thousands while responding sluggishly to nearly 250,000 families who lost coverage due to administrative errors.

DiJuana Davis, a 44-year-old Nashville resident, is among those affected. After surgery to prevent pregnancy and alleviate chronic anemia was canceled because her Medicaid was terminated, Davis learned her renewal paperwork had been sent to the wrong address. This miscommunication left her uninsured for two months, during which she unexpectedly became pregnant and developed preeclampsia. Her doctors had to induce labor to protect her health, resulting in the premature birth of her son.

“The system is dysfunctional,” she asserted.

In 2023, more than 3% of the 83,000 babies born in Tennessee had mothers who did not receive prenatal care, with only seven states reporting higher figures. After childbirth, ongoing medical attention is further obstructed by provider shortages, with one-third of residents residing in areas lacking primary care, a higher proportion than in all but ten states.

Mothers have voiced steady frustrations with navigating aid programs. Chillis, for example, encountered difficulties with WIC and had to rely on the Tennessee Justice Center for assistance to restore her benefits.

She credits a local nonprofit preschool for connecting her with support services, acknowledging a lack of outreach about available aid. Meanwhile, Cagnacci, who is expecting another child, expressed discontent with the convoluted process for SNAP recertification, calling it a “headache.”

“I felt like the system was intentionally designed to frustrate applicants into giving up,” she remarked.

A survey from a health policy research organization indicated that women in states with restricted abortion access often face significant challenges in obtaining essential social services. Almost half of respondents stated it was difficult to access food stamps compared to just three out of ten in states with broader abortion rights.

“The arguments in favor of these policies often suggest they are meant to protect women and children,” commented Madden. “However, the frailty of our safety net reveals a major inconsistency in that claim.”

Tennessee’s newly established diaper program exemplifies the sharp political divisions regarding support measures. While the Republican governor emphasizes the program’s intention to strengthen families, Democratic Senator London Lamar accused GOP leaders of merely providing a facade to distract from the negative impacts of the abortion ban. Conversely, GOP Senator Mark Pody suggested that the state should not be responsible for providing diapers for every child and is even considering cutting the program.

Charities across Tennessee are striving to fill the void left by government support, but the assistance they provide is often limited and inconsistent. A recent report revealed that thirty percent of the state’s 2.8 million households earn above the poverty line yet lack sufficient income to meet their county’s basic living costs.

“Many individuals are working multiple jobs and still struggle to make ends meet,” noted Busbee from Mother to Mother.

Although numerous charitable organizations aim to assist families, their reach is often constrained, and they frequently face limitations imposed by government income guidelines. Most nonprofits also rely heavily on fluctuating donations to maintain their operations.

With a new political landscape in Washington and a Republican-controlled Congress, nonprofit advocates fear tougher battles ahead. They anticipate possible significant reductions in federal aid programs that have long faced criticism, including Medicaid and food stamps.

“We’ve already faced challenges during the previous Trump administration, and the focus was on cutting social services,” commented Signe Anderson, senior director of nutrition advocacy at the justice center. “It’s a pressing concern for families, both in Tennessee and nationwide.”