South-Carolina
S.C. must weigh economic impact of its abortion restrictions; here’s why
Two years ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, fundamentally altering women’s rights across the nation. As I returned to work from maternity leave, the weight of having fewer rights than just weeks before filled me with rage and sorrow. However, today I’m not writing about bodily autonomy, but about the long-term economic implications of abortion restrictions.
As a numbers person, I find it economically illogical to restrict — let alone ban — abortion. According to a recent publication by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, should abortion restrictions reach a national scale, the United States would suffer a near $173 billion economic loss. For South Carolina in particular, our projected annual loss is nearly $3 billion. This staggering figure suggests that our lawmakers, in their perceived focus on moral and ethical considerations, might not have carefully considered the economic ramifications of these restrictive measures.
More: SC Senate passes six-week abortion ban. New litigation expected after Gov. signs into law.
Let’s break down the potential impact on South Carolina’s workforce. There are approximately 1.38 million women participating in our state’s workforce, with nearly one-third ages 20 to 35 — the group in which most abortions were performed. In 2022, the South Carolina Department of Health reported 5,568 abortions, mostly from families who already have children. If we removed just these individuals from the workforce, South Carolina would lose more than $211 million per year (based on a median income of $38,000).
This figure doesn’t account for any supplemental public benefits these families might need if another child pushes them into poverty. Based on average SNAP benefits alone, it could cost South Carolina an additional $1,392,000 annually — not including medical coverage, cash assistance, or child-care scholarships. Over five years, the minimum economic impact could reach $1,064,880,000.
Moreover, while recent stories reported a drastic 80% drop in abortion rates in South Carolina, they fail to mention that more than 8,000 individuals sought abortions in neighboring states like North Carolina. This not only represents a significant economic outflow, but also places additional burdens on those seeking care.
These economic realities are stark, but they raise deeper questions: What do South Carolinians truly value? We live in a state of perpetual dichotomy. We claim to prioritize family values but don’t provide the support systems that families need, like universal child care. We talk about protecting children, but our governor rejected federal funds for a program offering food assistance to needy families during the summer months when schools are closed.
For years, the Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN) fought to remove the sales tax from essential period products in the same year that our representatives passed legislation approving aerial hunting of feral hogs. This disconnect between our stated values and our lawmakers’ legislative priorities is striking.
And the ripple effects of these restrictions extend far beyond immediate economic impacts, affecting our entire state:
- Health care: Our medical system faces potential deterioration as professionals leave for states where they can provide comprehensive reproductive care. This exodus, coupled with fewer incoming medical students and residents, could lead to provider shortages and reduced quality of care for everyone.
- Education: Restricted access to reproductive healthcare could widen educational gaps. Teenage parents already face challenges in continuing their education, leading to higher dropout rates and delayed pursuit of higher education. This affects future earnings and economic mobility, creating a cycle of disadvantage.
- Business and employment: Companies may hesitate to locate or expand in a state with such restrictions, affecting job opportunities for everyone.
- Public resources: The increased strain on health care and social services could likely lead to higher taxes or reduced services for all citizens, regardless of gender or reproductive status.
The economic fall of South Carolina isn’t a distant possibility – it’s a looming threat if we continue down this path. It’s time for all South Carolinians, regardless of personal beliefs about abortion, to seriously consider the economic consequences of these policies. Are we prepared to sacrifice billions in economic activity, strain our public resources, and potentially drive away job-creating businesses?
As we approach the polls and engage with our representatives, let’s demand policies that support not just our values, but our economic well-being. The prosperity of our state and the welfare of all its citizens depend on it.
We must act now to prevent South Carolina from falling into a preventable economic decline. Our future depends on it.
Dr. Amalia Luxardo is chief executive officer for the Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network (WREN) in South Carolina.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Six Republican candidates vying to become South Carolina’s next governor met in downtown Charleston for a wide-ranging debate that put abortion, infrastructure and the future of data centers at the center of the race.
The forum was held at the Sottile Theatre, where Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, state Sen. Josh Kimbrell, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy and Attorney General Alan Wilson took the stage.
Questions included whether they would support a state hate crime law, how they would address concerns about growth and infrastructure, how to navigate collaboration, abortion and the future of data centers in the state.
One issue that drew near-unanimous opposition was state Senate Bill 1095, a proposed total abortion ban that passed out of committee earlier in the day. All of the candidates opposed the bill, but they differed on what they would do if it reached the governor’s desk.
READ MORE | South Carolina governor candidates tout infrastructure, growth at business forum
Norman said he would sign it.
“You know, this is an emotional issue, but I will tell you if this bill came to my desk as governor. If it passed the House and the Senate, I would sign it,” Norman said.
All of the other candidates on stage said they would veto the bill if it came across their desk as governor, with Reddy arguing the question should be decided by voters.
“The Supreme Court did not say the loudest voice in the ruling class prevails. It said it’s up to the people in the state, so let’s put it to a referendum,” Reddy said.
On infrastructure, candidates discussed reforming the South Carolina Department of Transportation and allowing private-sector involvement to help pay for improvements.
Wilson outlined ideas that included leasing interstate easements and expanding private express lanes.
“We privatized that grass between the interstates. We turn it into private express lanes that can be told we leased the easements on the sides of interstates to telecommunication companies and energy companies, and charge them for natural gas line and fiber optic fiber optic cables,” Wilson said.
Evette also pointed to public-private partnerships and the possibility of fast-pass lanes.
READ MORE | South Carolina governor candidates tout infrastructure, growth at business forum
“We want to make sure that we’re innovative public private partnerships coming in and creating fast pass lanes to allow people that are in a hurry to be able to utilize that,” Evette said.
The final question focused on data centers, with candidates agreeing corporations should “pay their way.”
“They should pay for their water. They should pay for their infrastructure, any roads around it, and we should look at what Governor Ron DeSantis has done in Florida with the large data centers that are coming to Florida. That should be the model in South Carolina and everywhere,” Mace said.
Kimbrell said the state should set limits to protect natural resources and guard against higher power costs for residents.
“Put parameters around data centers to ensure that the water consumption does not impact places like the ACE Basin,” Kimbrell said. “Ensuring that the Public Service Commission makes absolutely sure nobody’s power rate goes up and we try to get behind the meter energy grids in place so they can be self-sufficient.”
Two more debates are planned ahead of the primaries on June 9.
A bill that could make it a felony for doctors to perform an abortion is moving to the full South Carolina Senate with just a few weeks left in the legislative session.
The South Carolina Senate medical affairs committee continued a debate of Senate Bill 1095 on April 21 in Columbia. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Richard Cash, R-Anderson, builds on a restrictive abortion bill that failed to progress in the fall.
The committee passed the measure in an 8-4 vote, moving it to the full Senate for consideration. Lawmakers have until May 14, the last day of the 2026 legislative session, to pass the bill for it to become law.
Senate Bill 1095, also called the “Unborn Child Protection Act,” bans performing an abortion or supplying abortion drugs. It makes it illegal for a woman to get an abortion, with the only exception being to save a pregnant woman’s life.
It also makes mifepristone and misoprostol Schedule IV controlled substances. Alprazolam (Xanax) and zolpidem (Ambien) are two other examples of Schedule IV substances.
Pro-Life Greenville, an anti-abortion organization based in Greenville, responded to the bill’s progress with “full endorsement” of the legislation.
“Unborn children, like all human beings, deserve to have their lives protected under law here in the Palmetto State,” Pro-Life Greenville stated. “Today’s vote by the SC Senate Medical Affairs Committee brings that urgent need one step closer to reality.”
Under the bill, a woman who has an abortion could face misdemeanor charges. The maximum sentence would be two years in jail with a $1,000 fine.
Those found guilty of performing an abortion or providing a pregnant woman with abortion-inducing drugs could face felony charges, a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail, and a possible $100,000 fine.
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT), a firm opponent of the bill, decried the Senate committee passage. PPSAT Director of Public Affairs Vicki Ringer said in a statement that the bill will cost people their lives, and it will make it more difficult for women to get reproductive and pregnancy healthcare.
“Abortion bans have and will continue to cost people their lives,” Ringer stated. “As this ban inches closer to the governor’s desk, it is becoming increasingly clear just how many of our lives anti-abortion lawmakers are willing to endanger in service to their agenda.”
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com
BARNWELL, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – An officer was injured, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has issued a Blue Alert for an “armed and dangerous” woman.
According to the Blue Alert, Cushman is wanted in connection with an officer being injured.
The location of the assault was Gardenia Road in Blackville, S.C.
On Monday night around 10:35 p.m., officials said they were looking for Lacey Cushman, 37, a white woman who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 210 pounds.
According to SLED, she has brown eyes and an unknown hair color. Her hairstyle and clothing are unknown.
She was last seen driving a 2011 white Chevrolet Traverse with an S.C. tag, 706IRU, in Barnwell County.
Her last known direction of travel was toward Bamberg County.
If you see her or have information, call 911 immediately.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with FOX Carolina. For more free content like this, download our apps.
Copyright 2026 WHNS. All rights reserved.
-
Washington, D.C6 minutes ago11 hurt after work vehicle collides with Silver Line train at Metro Center
-
Cleveland, OH12 minutes agoHouston Astros at Cleveland Guardians prediction, pick for Tuesday 4/21/26
-
Austin, TX18 minutes agoAppeals court rules Texas can require public schools to display Ten Commandments in class
-
Alabama24 minutes agoAlabama Defeated By Birmingham
-
Alaska30 minutes agoHawaiian, Alaska reservation systems merge: Big changes for travelers start April 22
-
Arizona36 minutes agoMichigan defenseman Hunter Hady transfers to Arizona State
-
Arkansas42 minutes ago
#24 Arkansas Explodes for Eight Runs in Eighth to Race past Missouri State in Midweek Rematch
-
California48 minutes agoCalifornia Islamic calligraphy artist preserves ancient tradition during Arab American Heritage Month
