REGULATION, IMPERFECT COMPETITION, AND THE US ABORTION MARKET

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Beauchamp, Andrew
• 署名单位: Boston College; University System of Ohio; Wright State University Dayton
• 刊物名称: INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0020-6598
• DOI: 10.1111/iere.12128
• 发表日期: 2015
• 页码: 963-996
• 关键词: discrete-choice models; restrictions; demand; IMPACT; fertility; providers

摘要

The U.S. abortion market has grown increasingly concentrated recently, while many states tightened abortion laws. Using data on abortion providers, I estimate an equilibrium model of demand, price competition, entry and exit, to capture the effect of regulation on industry dynamics. Estimates show regulations played an important role in determining the abortion market structure and evolution. Counterfactual simulations reveal increases in demand-aimed regulation were the most important observed factor in explaining recent abortion declines. Simulating Utah's regulatory regime nationally shows tightening abortion restrictions can increase abortions in equilibrium, mainly through tilting the competitive landscape toward low-price providers.