Did you know? Oregonians have been funding abortions with their state tax dollars for decades, but most people are not aware of this reality. In fact, the number of taxpayer-funded abortions in Oregon is now at a 10-year high. Here are the facts on abortion funding in Oregon:
Nearly half of all abortions are taxpayer-funded
In 2012 there were 9,015 abortions in Oregon. (1) In fiscal year 2011-2012, 4,191 abortions were paid for by taxpayers via the Oregon Health Plan (view/download data PDF). That’s more than 11 publicly-funded abortions per day — up from 9 publicly-funded abortions per day in 2008-09. (2)
Approx. $1.75 million per year
The average cost for one taxpayer-funded abortion in Oregon is $417. Over the past 10 years, a total of 38,455 abortions were funded by OHP, at a cost to taxpayers of over $16 million. (2)
1 of 13 states
Oregon is one of only 13 states to require taxpayers to fund other people’s abortions, without restrictions, by court order. (3)
28 years and counting
In 1984, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled there should be no restrictions on the use of public money to fund abortions. (4)
Sources:
1. Oregon Health Authority. (2013). Abortions by Month of Occurrence and County of Residence, Oregon 2012, Preliminary. Retrieved May 2, 2013, from http://public.health.oregon.gov.
2. State of Oregon, Division of Medical Assistance Programs. (2013). Number of Therapeutic Abortions Funded by the Oregon Health Plan, 2002-03 through 2011-12. Retrieved by data request, Feb. 20, 2013. (view/download data PDF)
3. Guttmacher Institute. (April 1, 2013). State Funding of Abortion Under Medicaid. Retrieved April 24, 2013, from http://www.guttmacher.org
4. Planned Parenthood Assn. v. Dept. of Human Res., 687 P. 2d 785 – Or: Supreme Court 1984
