The issue of teen access to abortion is critical because it could affect the healthcare choices of young marginalized minors. Currently, minors from ages 12-18 can obtain an abortion. But under the new policy, due to the change of presidency and administration, this right may be under threat.
As an assigned female at birth (AFAB) teenager, I feel personally connected to this issue. It is essential that we recognize how social determinants, such as financial stability, environment and mental health, play a significant role in shaping teens’ access to abortion.
Young adults seeking abortion care are significantly impacted by this potential restriction. According to the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, restriction of abortion can affect students’ mental health; “One young woman said, “I feel so many things. Anger, sadness, outrage.”
This fear is logical because a potential restriction will not only impact individual young AFABS, but will also take the power away from marginalized communities of young women who won’t have control over their own bodies.
If I had the power to address this issue, I would work to make abortion more affordable and accessible. Currently, the cost of procedural abortion care ranges from $750-926 U.S dollars.
To improve access to abortion services, I would advocate for removing cost-sharing provisions for abortion care and ensuring that medication abortions are included in state health plans.
This would involve having the government authorize the use of state Medicaid Funds to cover the medically necessary abortion services across all 50 states. American Progress says “As of June 2023, there were 17 states that allow Medicaid to pay for medically necessary abortions.” Lifting the Hyde Amendment, which restricts the use of federal funds for abortion care, would be a critical step in ensuring more access to reproductive health care.
Another important step would be to address the restrictive parental laws surrounding teen abortions. In an unfortunate example, ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom, tells the story of a young girl named Giselle who lived in Texas in 2020. She was denied an abortion from court because she could not obtain parental consent. Giselle’s parents were absent from her life and the court ruled her immature for making a life-changing decision. By advocating for the reduction of parental laws we as a community can help young girls like Giselle access the care they need without facing barriers. Abortion access is considered a public health issue because of the blocked access to funding for essential medical service..
Abortion access is a critical public health issue, particularly AFABS and young adults are denied access to safe and legal abortion care can face serious health consequences. The lack of abortion access and services often leads people to seek unsafe alternatives; putting their physical and mental health well being at risk.
Restrictive laws inordinately affect marginalized communities including low income, first generation, people of color individuals. By restricting access to abortion for minors our community is denying people to make decisions for their own bodies and futures which can contribute to the people’s negative long term health. Ensuring that abortion services are accessible, safe, and affordable for teenagers allows young adults to make the right choices about their reproductive health.
As a minor, I believe it is my responsibility and the community’s to engage in upstream thinking because this approach helps us solve situations before they escalate, ensuring that our society prioritizes problems that are affecting our community.
Together by sharing accurate information about abortion care, connecting with others and helping people navigate these services, we can make a difference and impact our community in a positive way. I also believe it is crucial that the younger generations understand that the current political policy, including the presidential election, has an impact abortion access and reproductive rights.
To help support these efforts, we can participate in protests against restrictive abortion laws and help organizations like the National Network of Abortions Funds and Planned Parenthood, which help provide abortion funding and support those whose funding cannot cover the entire cost.
Together we can make a meaningful impact in our society in ensuring that everyone, regardless of age group, can access safe, legal, and affordable reproductive health care.
