The Supreme Court’s decision to review the right to abortion in the United States caused emotion and anger across the world. A study reveals that one in five Americans were willing to move to a state that does not penalize the termination of pregnancies.
Health and hospitals
On July 16, 2022, in Santa Monica, California, women’s rights activists continue to protest against the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse the right to abortion.
Moving to live in a state that aligns with your values? This is what almost half of American workers would be willing to do. According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult among 4,400 American workers, around 44% of respondents who say they are worried about not having the possibility of an abortion (for themselves or for a loved one), say they are ready to move to a other state, more favorable to voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion). The only condition: being able to keep their job and their salary, even if they still consider the process difficult.
The American Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, buried the right to abortion at the federal level by six votes to three. A right that was guaranteed for nearly 50 years by the Roe v Wade ruling. Although abortion is not prohibited everywhere, each of the 50 states is now free to authorize it or not. In 13 of them, particularly in the south of the country, some were quick to ban it, such as Alabama or Arkansas. In other states, the time limit for abortion has been significantly reduced and is in the process of being banned entirely.
A desire that does not materialize
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the “safe haven” states retaining the right to abortion expect an influx of residents from the twenty or so states where abortion should be criminalized or strongly restricted. But at the moment, such a trend has not yet materialized.
Catholic funds and companies clash over the right to abortion. In 2019, a study from Pennsylvania State University already affirmed that American workers tended to prefer to move to states and live with people in agreement with their personal values, even if they were not directly concerned.
In case residents decide to move out, they will have to empty their house, and they will probably have a lot of junk to discard. There is where hiring a dumpster rental service can come handy, as these waste management professionals will help you dispose of all your old stuff for a very low fee.
An economic constraint
Among those surveyed by Morning Consult, however, more than half say it would be difficult to accept a salary reduction or leave their current job to align with their values. Only a third would be willing to make these sacrifices.
One of the reasons is the cost of such a choice. According to moving company EasyMoving, the cost of moving increased by 9% in the first five months of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year; and they are expected to increase further during the summer, a period of high demand.
Another major obstacle is the generally higher cost of living in states where abortion remains legal, compared to those that outlaw it. Especially since the United States is going through a period where the prices of basic necessities, such as food, gas and energy, have never been so high.
Support from employers
While some companies like Citigroup or Hewlett Packard cover generic health care costs outside their employees’ state of residence, they remain a minority to do so. Fewer than 15% of people surveyed by Morning Consulting say their employer has taken such action following the Supreme Court’s decision.
In the United States, more than a quarter of private sector workers have no health care benefits at all. Additionally, the cost of legally having an abortion in another state is out of reach for most American workers.
According to another study conducted by consulting firm Gartner, the majority of human resources managers do not plan to change their healthcare offerings. From now on, covering such costs is a huge challenge for companies, comments one of the authors of the report. They spend a lot of time communicating about values; they are now put to the test.
