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The Economics of Reproduction-Related Health Care
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Abstract
This paper presents the first systematic estimates of the direct money costs of reproduction-related health services. In 1982 Americans spent approximately 17.7billionforcontraception,abortion,treatmentofinfertility,obstetricalcare,andinfantcare.Thisrepresented5.5percentoftotalhealthcarespendingandwasequalto327 per woman of reproductive age (15?44). Obstetrical care accounted for almost half of the reproduction-related expenditures and infant care accounted for morethan one-third. The paper discusses the demographic, technologic, economic,and sociopolitical factors that determine these expenditures. It also considers related public policy issues regarding legal status, sources of funding, and allocation of resources.