How Restrictions on Reproductive Healthcare Undermine the Workforce and Economy
By Kimberly Taylor, Taylor Collective Solutions
Restrictions on reproductive healthcare aren’t just a “women’s issue”—they’re a workforce issue, an economic issue, and a community issue.
When people cannot access contraception, abortion, and family planning services, they lose the ability to plan their futures. This loss doesn’t happen in isolation—it ripples outward, affecting businesses, families, and entire economies.
The Real-World Impact
I think about Maria, a Texas college sophomore who had to put her degree on hold because she couldn’t access reproductive care.
Or Jessica, a retail manager whose unplanned pregnancy ended her career after complications sidelined her for months.
Or Vanessa, a restaurant worker and single mom in Georgia, who couldn’t afford to leave the state for care and ended up losing her home.
Their stories aren’t rare. They’re the predictable result of legislating people’s bodies instead of trusting them to make decisions for themselves.
Research backs this up:
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) estimates that if abortion restrictions were lifted nationwide, women’s earnings would increase by $101 billion annually, boosting family incomes and local economies alike. (IWPR, 2021)
And per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up nearly 47% of the U.S. workforce. Each time a woman is forced to pause or abandon her career due to lack of access, it isn’t just a personal loss—it’s a loss to our entire economy. (BLS, 2023)
According to a 2023 report from the Center for American Progress (CAP), lack of access to reproductive healthcare costs the U.S. economy approximately $105 billion annually due to lost earnings, decreased workforce participation, lower productivity, and increased job turnover. (Center for American Progress, 2023)
The Guttmacher Institute reports that access to contraception is directly linked to increased educational attainment, higher labor force participation, and greater lifetime earnings. Women with access are more likely to graduate from college and pursue full-time employment. (Guttmacher Institute, 2021)
A landmark 10-year longitudinal study known as the Turnaway Study, conducted by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), found that women denied an abortion are four times more likely to live below the federal poverty line years later compared to those who received one. (ANSIRH, UCSF, 2020)
That same 2023 CAP report found that states with the most restrictive reproductive health policies consistently have lower female labor force participation rates than states that protect access. (Center for American Progress, 2023)
When bodily autonomy is restricted, we don’t just hurt individuals—we weaken entire economies.
What We Must Do
If we want a stronger economy and a more inclusive workforce, we must:
Protect and restore access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare across the country. People must have the ability to plan their lives—education, careers, and families.
Invest in paid parental leave and affordable childcare. Without these supports, women are disproportionately forced out of the workforce or into lower-wage, inflexible jobs.
Create flexible work environments that reflect the needs of modern families. Flexibility reduces turnover, boosts loyalty, and supports long-term economic stability.
Acknowledge lived experience as expertise. Data is important, but people’s real stories must be centered in our policy solutions.
At Taylor Collective Solutions, we believe that equity isn't just a checkbox—it must be embedded in the structure and culture of our organizations.
When women’s choices are respected and supported, families are stronger, businesses are more resilient, and communities thrive.
If we want a fairer, more prosperous future, we must fight for women’s autonomy with policy, compassion, and bold leadership.