Economic realities of obtaining an abortion.

Abortion is a relatively inexpensive procedure when it is performed early in pregnancy in a specialized clinic on an outpatient basis, as most procedures are. For poor and low-income women, however, the cost of an abortion can be prohibitive, especially for those who live in nonmetropolitan areas and rural states, where there are few abortion facilities and those that are accessible charge higher-than-average fees.

The Cost of an Abortion

In 1993, the average charge for a first-trimester nonhospital abortion was $296 (93)--an increase of about $50 since 1989 (Table 1). (94)

* The charge varied widely by state, however; fees were highest in Alaska and Hawaii, which would be expected because of the generally high cost of living in those states. Yet, in five other states, the average charge was above $350.

* Abortions were least expensive in the District of Columbia, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana and Oregon, where the average charge was less than $250. (95)

Abortions after the first trimester are substantially more expensive. (96)

* At 16 weeks of gestation, the average 1993 charge for an outpatient nonhospital abortion jumped to $593-double the average fee for a first-trimester procedure.