Reproductive rights and the economy: Abortion bans come with a cost

Women's reproductive rights are interconnected with how state and local economies perform, and bans historically occur in underfunded areas.

Reproductive rights and policies regarding health care for childbearing have a significant impact on the economic future of both individuals and communities.

The Economic Policy Institute found that states where abortion bans take hold have historically had "intentionally constructed" economic policies with weak labor laws in underfunded areas with dysfunctional public services. 

Sara Estep, an associate director with the Women's Initiative at the Center for American Progress, said the Congressional Budget Committee's hearing this week on the economic impacts of reproductive rights is "a huge deal."

"It's really important that we talk about this issue as an economic issue," Estep said. "Whenever women are forced to have children that they may not have wanted to have, it has profound economic effects on their lifespan."

This week, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said, "Abortion, above all, is a moral and legal issue. Abortion is not an issue that lends itself to being looked at solely through an economic lens. After all, life is priceless."