Coercive contraception and sterilization of people with disabilities sanctioned by systemic ableism in healthcare and payer systems

Reproductive coercion, or the manipulation of people’s self-autonomous decisions about pregnancy and the prevention of pregnancy, is often explored in the literature as a form of interpersonal abuse (Grace & Anderson, 2018). The proposed Flash Presentation addresses the combined role of healthcare providers, hospital policies, insurance companies, and society at large as a systemic force in controlling the reproductive freedoms of people with disabilities.
Practices such as menstruation suppression guised as a medical necessity and not disclosed to the patient and insurance denials to remove or replace long-action reversible contraceptives characterize the current era of reproductive coercion. In a recent Kaiser Health News, the plight of young adults with disabilities was captured with the realization that “A hysterectomy is sometimes more affordable than birth control.” To counter this systematic oppression, ethicists must be aware of the evolving form of coercion, how to promote reproductive autonomy, and the essential and urgent need to include people with disabilities among those marginalized groups often targeted by these eugenic forms of control.
This topic is ideal for a Flash Presentation as there are multiple possibilities for it’s application and I would welcome and value feedback from ASBH Annual Conference attendees about which avenues for implementation may be most beneficial.

References
Grace, K. T., & Anderson, J. C. (2018). Reproductive coercion: a systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 19(4), 371-390.
Jiménez, G. (2023, March 7). For Young People on Medicare, a Hysterectomy Sometimes is More Affordable Than Birth Control. Kaiser Health News. Retrieved from: https://khn.org/news/article/medicare-birth-control-disabilities-coverage/