This study examines whether state birth control expenditures and abortion funding for Medicaid-eligible women might reduce the amount of low-birthweight babies, babies with late or no prenatal care, and premature births, also because the rates of infant and neonatal mortality rate . METHODS. employing a pooled time-series analysis from 1982 to 1988 with the 50 states as units of study , this study assessed the impact of birth control expenditures and abortion funding on several public health outcomes while controlling for other important variables and statistical problems inherent in pooled time-series studies. RESULTS. States that funded abortions had a significantly higher rate of abortions and significantly lower rates of teenage pregnancy, low-birthweight babies, premature births, and births with late or no prenatal care.
