Medicaid Funding Restrictions

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Medicaid Funding for Medically Necessary Abortions

Though Federal funds were once available to low-income women seeking medically necessary abortions, Representative Henry Hyde (Rep-IL) sponsored a bill in 1977 that eliminated federal funding for abortion except when necessary to save the woman's life. The Hyde Amendment has been renewed by Congress annually ever since and has included varying restrictions over the years. Since 1993, the amendment has permitted Medicaid funding for cases of rape and incest, and to save a woman�s life when it is endangered by a physical disorder, injury or illness. This limitation of Medicaid coverage to rape, incest or "life-saving" abortions creates a dangerous situation for low-income women. Even when a woman's health is jeopardized by her pregnancy to the extent that it will leave her incapacitated, unable to care for her children or hold down a job, she is still not eligible for Medicaid funding in many states.

The chart below indicates whether or not a state provides Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions. States in gray do not provide funding for all medically necessary abortions. Unless otherwise noted, these states provide funding only in case of life endangerment, rape or incest.

Last Updated 7/8/03

Alabama

Alaska
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions. (Contrary statute enacted 7/1/03 but not yet enforced).

Arizona
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions.

Arkansas

California
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

Colorado

Connecticut
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii
Voluntarily provides coverage for all medically necessary abortions.

Idaho

Illinois
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions.

Indiana
Ordered by court to provide coverage for some, but not all, medically necessary abortions.

Iowa
Some Medicaid coverage, but not full Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions.

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland
Some Medicaid coverage, but not full Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions.

Massachusetts
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

Michigan

Minnesota
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

Mississippi
Coverage only when woman's life is endangered (in violation of Hyde Amendment).

Missouri

Montana
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

New Mexico
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

New York
Voluntarily provides coverage for all medically necessary abortions.

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota
Coverage only when woman's life is endangered (in violation of Hyde Amendment).

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions

Virginia
Some Medicaid coverage, but not full Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions.

Washington
Voluntarily provides coverage for all medically necessary abortions.

West Virginia
Ordered by court to provide Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary abortions

Wisconsin
Some Medicaid coverage, but not full Medicaid coverage for medically necessary abortions.

Wyoming