Denied the Right to Choose…Life

Though the number of unwanted pregnancies has decreased over the last decade, unwanted pregnancies are on the rise among low income women according to a study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute. According to that same study, low income women are three times more likely to have an abortion due to an unwanted pregnancy. Even if they don't want one.

According to Third Way, a non-profit, non-partisan organization, "These trends reflect a population of women who are more likely to be uninsured and impoverished than the general population and thus at-risk for a myriad of other conditions associated with low socioeconomic status."

Cost may be a factor. Having a baby costs about $8000. Having an abortion costs only $400. When uninsured pregnant women are faced with the astronomical costs of having and raising a child, they may choose to terminate the pregnancy. Women should not be forced to make decisions about their pregnancy based on the medical costs, which for many families, are simply unaffordable. Yet they do.

But their decisions are based on more than just dollars. Because they are uninsured, they don't have access to transportation, childcare, or adequate medical services that would allow them luxury of formulating their own choice.

Despite the efforts of those in prolife and prochoice camps, when it comes down to the debate between life and choice, some women can't pick either.