Bill Overview
Title: Defunding Abortion Transportation Act
Description: This bill prohibits federal Medicaid payment for nonemergency transportation that is used to access medical care or services for which federal payment is prohibited (e.g., abortion services).
Sponsors: Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]
Target Audience
Population: Women who rely on Medicaid-funded transportation to access abortion services
Estimated Size: 6000000
- Medicaid provides healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families, including transportation services to medical appointments.
- The legislation targets a specific aspect of Medicaid coverage: nonemergency transportation to access abortion services.
- Abortions are services that already have restrictions on federal funding, except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment.
- Restricting Medicaid transportation will primarily affect individuals who rely on these services to access abortion clinics, particularly those in low-income brackets.
- Women seeking abortion services who rely on Medicaid-funded transportation will be directly impacted by this legislation.
Reasoning
- The target population is women who use federally funded Medicaid transportation to access abortion services.
- There are logistical challenges in terms of accessibility of abortion services, especially in rural areas.
- The policy will directly affect women who are in low-income brackets and do not have alternative transportation means.
- Not all Medicaid users will seek or require these services, so not everyone on Medicaid will be impacted.
- Understanding the policy's impact requires considering the intersection of healthcare access, economic status, and social determinants.
Simulated Interviews
part-time retail worker (rural Alabama)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've relied on Medicaid transportation to get to my appointments.
- Without this support, I'd have to take time off work.
- This policy feels like an attack on low-income women needing healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
student (urban Ohio)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living in the city, I can manage without Medicaid transport, but it'll mean more money on public transport.
- It adds stress during a time that's already hard.
- I know people who have no other options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
unemployed (suburban Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't drive, and local transport options are not reliable or comprehensive.
- This makes it much harder to access necessary medical services.
- It seems punitive to someone already struggling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
server (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's frustrating because I barely make ends meet as it is.
- Costs add up quickly when you have to find other transportation.
- The policy doesn't consider people like me who want to take charge of their own lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
full-time caregiver (rural Arkansas)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on Medicaid to reach clinics that are far away.
- This policy pressures me more financially.
- It's concerning for my health and schedule.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
nurse (New York City, New York)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Public transport in NYC is good, but emergencies are a concern.
- While I don't directly use Medicaid transport, it could be an option if needed in the future.
- The policy could force people to unsafe or unsuitable alternatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
restaurant manager (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to healthcare should be universal, not limited by transportation.
- This pushes back on personal independence and freedom.
- I can manage, but others in worse situations will suffer more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
unemployed (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transport is vital for my medical needs.
- This policy removes a crucial support system.
- I feel neglected by the system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
teacher (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy creates more barriers for women in difficult situations.
- I realize my privilege in not being directly impacted.
- Solidarity with those who need these services more urgently.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
graphic designer (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this creating more social inequity.
- The policy feels like a step backward.
- Access to healthcare should be prioritized, not diminished.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $350000 (Low: $250000, High: $450000)
Year 2: $370000 (Low: $270000, High: $470000)
Year 3: $385000 (Low: $285000, High: $485000)
Year 5: $400000 (Low: $300000, High: $500000)
Year 10: $425000 (Low: $325000, High: $525000)
Year 100: $440000 (Low: $335000, High: $545000)
Key Considerations
- The policy primarily reduces federal spending by eliminating certain Medicaid-covered transportation services for abortions, which are already federally restricted.
- The affected population is relatively small, limited to women on Medicaid relying on federally funded transportation to access such services.
- The indirect effects on healthcare accessibility and equity should be considered, particularly for low-income and rural populations.