THE COST:

• The federal government spent an estimated $34 billion in 1992 for AFDC, Medicaid, and Food Stamp benefits to support families begun by adolescent mothers.⁽¹⁴⁾
• For every dollar spent on contraceptive services, taxpayers save an estimated $4.40 in welfare, medical care, and social services resulting from unintended pregnancies.⁽¹⁵⁾ The cost savings likely increases for teenagers due to the increased risk of medical and social complications associated with teen pregnancy and births.
• The current Medicaid reimbursement rate for uncomplicated prenatal care and delivery is $3000 per pregnancy. In contrast, the average annual cost for preventive reproductive health services in Family Planning Program clinics is $61.66 per client per year.⁽¹⁶⁾

DHHR/BPH/OMCH/FP/WS/10-96

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