Birth Control
Medicaid Coverage of Abortion and Other Reproductive Health Services
Medicaid is a state-federal partnership that pays for health care services to certain low-income individuals, including children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Each state administers its Medicaid program within the guidance of federal law and regulations. States and the federal government share the cost of the program. Beneficiaries must meet various restrictions, such as income or medical need, and Medicaid programs and eligibility varies from state to state.
Access to abortion services can be especially problematic for women who are dependent upon Medicaid. The Hyde Amendment, enacted in 1976, denies federal Medicaid coverage of abortions except in the cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment.
However, because each state runs its own Medicaid program, some states use state-only funds to cover abortions under a wider range of circumstances. Coverage in these state programs varies based on the state and also on whether the woman is a citizen or a qualified or unqualified immigrant. The following chart gives a summary of all Medicaid abortion benefits available in each state.
Please note that the following apply to the chart for each state:
2 Qualified immigrants include: (1) lawful permanent residence (LPRs), including Amerasian immigrants; (2) refugees, asylees, persons granted withholding of deportation/removal, conditional entry, or paroled into the U.S. for at least one year; (3) Cuban/Haitian entrants; and (4) battered spouses and children with a pending or approved (a) self-petition for an immigrant visa, or (b) immigrant visa filed for a spouse or child by a U.S. citizen or LPR, or (c) application for cancellation of removal/suspension of deportation, whose need for benefits has a substantial connection to the battery or cruelty. Parent/child of such battered child/spouse are also qualified.
3 If covered, then the same rights afforded to citizens are given to the covered qualified immigrant.
4 Unqualified immigrants include (1) undocumented immigrants; (2) asylum applicants; (3) many immigrants formerly considered “permanently residing under color of law” (PRUCOL); and (4) immigrants with temporary status such as tourists and students.
5 If covered, then the same rights afforded to citizens are given to the covered unqualified immigrant.
6 Under 18 unless otherwise noted
7 Unless otherwise noted, categories of contraceptives are as follows: Prescription contraception includes: oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (including insertion and removal), contraceptive implants (including insertion and removal), contraceptive injections, patches, rings, and diaphragms. Emergency contraception (EC) is noted separately where available. Over-the-counter (OTC) contraception includes: condoms, spermicide, and sponges; female condom noted where covered.
8 Sterilization includes tubal ligation and vasectomy.
9 N/A means that the information is not available.
To find out which benefits are available, click on the name of a state below. Please let us know of any changes to this chart that you may become aware of. Thank you.
It is important to note that even though a state may be required by law to cover abortion in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment, this may not happen in practice. For more information on how to address these violations, please contact the following organizations:
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