Maternal and infant death rates higher in states that ban or restrict abortion, report finds
A study published Wednesday found maternal death rates in 2020 were higher in areas with significant abortion restrictions, a finding experts say paints a grim picture for the U.S. after the fall of Roe v. Wade. Maternal death rates in 2020 were 62% higher in states with abortion bans or restrictions compared to states where abortion is accessible, according to a study published Wednesday by the Commonwealth Fund, an independent health care research foundation. "Abortion-restrictive" state refers to classifications from the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that supports abortion rights. The institute assesses states by abortion restrictions including gestational age bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage bans and medication abortion restrictions. The study, using data from 2020, found states that banned or significantly restricted abortion access higher rates of maternal mortality and infant death, especially among women of color; more maternity care "deserts
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### Response: A study published Wednesday found maternal death rates in 2020 were higher in areas with significant abortion restrictions, a finding experts say paints a grim picture for the U.S. after the fall of Roe v. Wade. Maternal death rates in 2020 were 62% higher in states with abortion bans or restrictions compared to states where abortion is accessible, according to a study published Wednesday by the Commonwealth Fund, an independent health care research foundation. "Abortion-restrictive" state refers to classifications from the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that supports abortion rights. The institute assesses states by abortion restrictions including gestational age bans, waiting periods, insurance coverage bans and medication abortion restrictions. The study, using data from 2020, found states that banned or significantly restricted abortion access higher rates of maternal mortality and infant death, especially among women of color; more maternity care "deserts