Small businesses negatively impacted by reproductive rights restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 dramatically changed the reproductive rights landscape. Many states immediately began restricting abortion access, with 19 states now having imposed a full or partial ban. In response to these efforts, Small Business Majority conducted research in 2023 that found women entrepreneurs believe that reproductive health access is crucial for women’s economic freedom, financial security and the ability to plan their future. What’s more, the survey revealed that 57% of women entrepreneurs believe that restrictions on abortion access will force women to choose between their careers or their reproductive freedom. Additionally, women entrepreneurs reported that they are concerned the Supreme Court’s decision will negatively impact people in their community (59%), their employees (42%) and their business (36%).
Small Business Majority’s latest research echoes those findings. While a majority of small business owners nationwide were either unsure of the impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade on their business or were unaffected, more small businesses say the decision has had a negative impact than a positive impact. They note that the decision has hurt their businesses’ performance/profitability (16%), workforce (18%) and hiring decisions (12%). Additionally, 12% of entrepreneurs say they or any of their employees have been unable to access reproductive healthcare (including contraception, abortion and family planning) in their state.
The vast majority (69%) of small business owners agree that access to reproductive healthcare (including contraception, abortion and family planning) is important for workforce participation and economic stability, with more than half (57%) strongly agreeing. Therefore, it’s not surprising that more than 6 in 10 (61%) entrepreneurs are concerned about the long-term economic and workforce impacts of reproductive health access in their state, with 37% being very concerned.
Men and women small business owners differ on their views of the economic impact. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of women entrepreneurs are concerned, compared to 55% of men small business owners. Additionally, while more business owners in states without abortion restrictions are concerned (67%) about the long-term economic and workforce impacts of reproductive health access, 46% of business owners in states with bans are also concerned.
As this research reveals, small business owners are concerned about reproductive healthcare access, and they believe that it promotes workforce participation and economic stability. Over the next few years as more of the small business community is impacted, the results of reduced access to reproductive health services in states with abortion bans will become clearer.
