Michigan with a Mixed Bag of News on Teen Pregnancies

While the number of teen pregnancies reported in Michigan has declined, the cost to taxpayers of "children having children" is still in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

MLive.com is reporting results of a national study that found teen pregnancy cost Michigan nearly $10 billion dollars between 1991 and 2010.   That is despite a 50% drop in birth rates during the same period.

The report from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, found Michigan spent $283 million in 2010, the latest year the stats are available.  The estimates take into effect a number of factors, including the cost of welfare and public health programs, and reduced income on future earnings by young mothers.

Despite the costs, though, the report found Michigan still had a cost savings.

Nationally, teen pregnancy cost the country $9.4 billion in 2010.  That number is down $1.5 billion compared to a previous estimate in 2008.

Join Jo Anne Paul and Steve Gruber weekdays from 5:30 to 9 AM on 1240 WJIM-AM and the Stations of the Michigan Talk Network.  Join the discussion by calling our hotline at (888) 900-9966!