According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary abortion is the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus. There are many different reasons why women seek abortions; some may be voluntary while other may be forced. The main focus of this study is to determine the relationship between abortion and sexual violence along with the effects Medicaid has on abortion. Abortions that are not accessible or affordable can lead women to alternative deadly methods. Even for a woman who has insurance, but is insured through Medicaid have difficulties in getting the procedure covered, and if so not without many restrictions. Rape, overall can be violent, brutal, embarrassing, and can
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The Amendment restricted federal funding for abortion for women who were on Medicaid except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman’s life is endangered. Prior to the Hyde Amendment going into effect; Medicaid funded nearly 25 percent of abortions in the United States. Approximately, 295,000 low-income women obtained abortions financed by combined federal-state Medicaid funds (Engstrom, 2016). According to Engstrom (2016), Many view the “Hyde Amendment as a “back door” attempt by Congress to limit abortions in a manner that goes against the rights outlined in Roe v. Wade, mainly seeing the amendment as disproportionately affecting impoverished and minority women” (p. 2). Medicaid is a joint program between federal and state government allowing the states decide to use their own public funds to provide abortions services for indigent women on Medicaid. Initially, many states refused to comply with the added exceptions to the Amendment. Currently every state except South Dakota which statue directly violates the Hyde Amendment, only allows Medicaid funded abortion in cases where the woman’s life is endangered provides no exceptions for rape or incest victims (McGee, 2016). A woman who is uninsured in their first trimester can pay $470 for an abortion. Engstrom (2016) found “the average cost of a second trimester abortion is $1500. Moreover, many women who obtain abortions have incomes below the federal poverty line” (p.4). These women are forced to bear the cost out of pocket, which takes money from their regular necessary living expenses. Even though abortion’s legal in the United States, many states pass restrictions that limit low-class women access to abortions, forcing these women to take desperate measures to obtain the abortion. The Supreme Court has consistently supported the Hyde Amendment through the year; the Hyde Amendment is inconsistent with the precedent established by Roe v. Wade and
The Amendment restricted federal funding for abortion for women who were on Medicaid except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman’s life is endangered. Prior to the Hyde Amendment going into effect; Medicaid funded nearly 25 percent of abortions in the United States. Approximately, 295,000 low-income women obtained abortions financed by combined federal-state Medicaid funds (Engstrom, 2016). According to Engstrom (2016), Many view the “Hyde Amendment as a “back door” attempt by Congress to limit abortions in a manner that goes against the rights outlined in Roe v. Wade, mainly seeing the amendment as disproportionately affecting impoverished and minority women” (p. 2). Medicaid is a joint program between federal and state government allowing the states decide to use their own public funds to provide abortions services for indigent women on Medicaid. Initially, many states refused to comply with the added exceptions to the Amendment. Currently every state except South Dakota which statue directly violates the Hyde Amendment, only allows Medicaid funded abortion in cases where the woman’s life is endangered provides no exceptions for rape or incest victims (McGee, 2016). A woman who is uninsured in their first trimester can pay $470 for an abortion. Engstrom (2016) found “the average cost of a second trimester abortion is $1500. Moreover, many women who obtain abortions have incomes below the federal poverty line” (p.4). These women are forced to bear the cost out of pocket, which takes money from their regular necessary living expenses. Even though abortion’s legal in the United States, many states pass restrictions that limit low-class women access to abortions, forcing these women to take desperate measures to obtain the abortion. The Supreme Court has consistently supported the Hyde Amendment through the year; the Hyde Amendment is inconsistent with the precedent established by Roe v. Wade and