The Impact of "Trumpcession" on Reproductive Health

Economic and political decisions have always influenced reproductive healthcare in the U.S. "Trumpcession" describes an economic downturn linked to Donald Trump's policies. It's essential to understand how this could affect access to reproductive healthcare. When the economy struggles, government programs often face budget cuts, and political choices can make it harder to get healthcare. "Trumpcession" could worsen existing problems, limiting services like Medicaid and family planning programs. This article looks at how a bad economy and strict health policies together could make things even harder for people who need reproductive healthcare.

Economic Struggles and Fewer Health Services

During economic recessions, more people depend on government health programs because job losses leave them without insurance. Women with lower incomes often use programs like Medicaid and Title X for birth control, pregnancy care, and screenings. However, Trump-era policies led to cuts in these programs, reducing access to necessary healthcare.

Medicaid covers about 42% of births in the U.S. and helps millions of people with birth control and family planning. Typically, Medicaid expands when more people need it. However, under Trump, new rules, such as work requirements, have made qualifying harder for people. These rules especially hurt women who take care of family members or have unstable jobs. Studies show that women in states without Medicaid expansion are more likely to be uninsured, making it even harder to get healthcare.

Cuts to Title X and Family Planning Services

Title X is a government program that helps low-income people get birth control, STI tests, and cancer screenings. In 2019, Trump introduced the "domestic gag rule," which stopped clinics from referring patients for abortions if they received Title X funding. Because of this, major providers like Planned Parenthood left the program, meaning fewer clinics were available for people who needed affordable care.

By 2020, Title X clinics saw 63% fewer patients than before, and some states lost Title X services completely. These changes hurt low-income women and women of color the most. During economic downturns, more people rely on public healthcare programs, but these cuts made it harder for them to get the needed care.

Abortion Access and Funding Challenges

When the economy is bad, more people may seek abortion services due to financial struggles. However, restrictions make it more difficult to access them. The Hyde Amendment prevents federal funds from paying for abortions except in rare cases, forcing low-income women to cover the cost themselves.

During the Trump administration, many states passed strict abortion laws, such as bans after a certain number of weeks, waiting periods, and regulations that made it harder for clinics to operate. These laws especially hurt people in rural areas, where clinics are already scarce. If Medicaid funding is cut further, clinics could close, and abortion access would be even more limited.

Trump also expanded the "global gag rule," which blocked U.S. funding for international organizations that provide or support abortion services. This led to more unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions in other countries, as people lost access to birth control and reproductive health services.

Maternal Health and Postpartum Care Challenges

Medicaid covers pregnancy and postpartum care for low-income women, but disruptions in coverage can seriously affect maternal health. The U.S. already has a high maternal death rate compared to other wealthy countries. Research shows that Medicaid expansion helped lower this rate, especially for Black women. However, restricting Medicaid could increase maternal deaths by making it harder for people to get prenatal and postpartum care.

Economic downturns can also lead to hospital budget cuts and maternity ward closures, particularly in rural areas. During the Great Recession, over 200 maternity units shut down, making it harder for pregnant women to get care. This trend could continue if "Trumpcession" causes more public hospitals to lose funding. Without Medicaid extensions, new mothers may lose health insurance just weeks after giving birth, increasing the risk of serious health complications.

Outlook

A struggling economy combined with strict reproductive health policies creates significant barriers for women trying to access healthcare. Under Trump's administration, policies like the Title X gag rule, Medicaid work requirements, and abortion restrictions made it harder for people to get the care they need. If the economy worsens, these problems will only grow, making healthcare less accessible.

To prevent this, policymakers must focus on expanding Medicaid, protecting Title X funding, and reducing restrictions on abortion access. Ensuring that reproductive healthcare remains available and affordable—even during economic downturns—is essential for public health and gender equality. "Trumpcession" highlights how economic and political changes can threaten reproductive rights, making it crucial to invest in healthcare programs that support women's health and freedom.

References

Alcindor, Y. (2019, August 19). Why Trump's change to Title X funding means fewer health choices for women [Video report]. PBS NewsHour. Public Broadcasting Service.

Frederiksen, B., Gomez, I., & Salganicoff, A. (2021, November 3). Rebuilding Title X: New regulations for the federal family planning program. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/rebuilding-title-x-new-regulations-for-the-federal-family-planning-program/

McGeever, J. (2025, March 4). Atlanta Fed shock sounds like a "Trumpcession" warning. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/atlanta-fed-shock-sounds-trumpcession-warning-mcgeever-2025-03-03/

National Women's Law Center. (2018, February 20). Trump budget strikes blows to women's health [Blog post]. National Women's Law Center. https://nwlc.org/trump-budget-strikes-blows-to-womens-health/

Schraer, R. (2024, December 3). Why Trump's next presidency poses a new global threat to women's health. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-second-term-abortion-reproductive-rights-b2657524.html