Cost analysis of regionalized versus decentralized abortion programs

A detailed cost analysis has examined the fiscal benefits from regionalizing abortion services. Benefits were found to be virtually insignificant and not to outweigh problems of program visibility and patient accessibility incurred in such regionalization. The study covered 14 hospitals' abortion programs providing both first trimester and second trimester abortions and analyzed each program's total cost and six component costs for first trimester and second trimester procedures separately. The results of this study were employed for program planning by the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation in its operation of abortion services.