On On Friday, theSupreme Court overturned theRoe v. Wade case, thereby overturning the Commonwealth. Abortion Protection that has existed for nearly 50 years. Roehas banned the state from banning abortions before pregnancy, about 24 weeks after pregnancy, and when the life or health of a pregnant person is compromised. Following the decision, advocates of reproductive justice called on people to donate to the Abortion Fund, a field organization that assists in arranging and paying for abortion treatment for patients in need of financial support.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, some26 states are ready to outlaw abortion, 13 of which"trigger method"Is designed to have an abortion automatically. Makes abortion outlaw as soon as Roeis overthrown. Such restrictions force people seeking abortion to move across state boundaries for care.
"If you feel resentful or devastated by the end of Roe this morning, you don't have to look to despair. You can be part of the solution. Yes. writeson Twitter. I think it's local. I think it's human. Donate to@AbortionFundsvolunteers as a clinic escort. Experts You're not alone. "
Former Ohio Senator Nina Turner is also in trouble because she" donates to the Abortion Fund "instead of donating to potential politicians. We provide the quickest support to pregnant people who are. President Obama's speech writer, Jon Favreau, joined the choir ofsupporters and urged his followers to donate to the Endowment, Clinic, and Legal Defense Fund in anger.
Here's everything you need to know about how an abortion fund works.
What is an abortion fund?
The Abortion Fund supports pregnant women seeking abortion. According to Planned Parenthood, abortion can cost up to $ 750 in early pregnancy and up to $ 1,500 in late pregnancy. Also, in some states,Medicaid, private plans, and market plans for Affordable Care Actlimit abortion coverage.
Such funding has been an important tool for abortion advocates for the past few years. Republican lawmakers have enacted local methods to limit abortion in the state, effectively making abortion inaccessible to millions of patients, especially BIPOC people, low-income people, and rural people. For example, a nearly complete abortion ban in Texas placed 7 million women of reproductive age at least 247 miles away from accessible abortion care(which is banned). It is 14 times the distance you had to move before). )
The Abortion Fund pays medical and / or travel expenses that some patients may not be able to pay.
Who supports the abortion fund?
Most abortion funds are supported by personal donations. And in the last few weeks, we have been flooded with new donations. National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) — As of October 2020,92 Abortion Funds—are $ 1.5 or more onGood Morning AmericaI told you that I received. There have been millions of donations in the three days since Politico released the leaked draft of theDobbsdecisionon May 2. The website crashed because so many people tried to donate. On June 24, when the Supreme Court ruled, their site abortionfunds.org appeared to have crashed again.
According to supporters, a surge in donations is in great need. According to NNAF , most abortion funds seek assistance in paying abortion and related travel and childcare costs (which can be significant) 4 of the callers. It can only accommodate anywhere between one-third and one-third. Becausemost women seeking abortion are already mothers).
A representative of Texas Choice, a fund covering Texas travel expenses to out-of-state abortion clinics, told CBSin May beforeRoewas abolished. rice field. The organization already made more than 300 calls a month. There were resources to support only 130 patients, each requiring $ 750 to $ 1,000 support. After the Roewas overthrown, they were expecting more calls. Abortion advocates have recently pointed out that travel expenses are deteriorating due tohigh gas prices
. What exactly does the abortion fund pay?
Each fund has different functions. Some, such as medical abortion tablets (which account for more than half of all abortions in the United States) and procedures in the office, fully or partially cover costs that are strictly related to the procedure itself. When abortion seekers are delayed in planning due to clinic capabilities, legal regulations, and the need to raise money for procedures, they are often pushed into the second half of pregnancy, and pregnant people wait. The slower the abortion, the more expensive it is. Other funds will help you pay for out-of-state expenses related to going out of state for an abortion, such as transportation, petrol, accommodation, and meals. We can also provide other services such as translation, childcare coordination and payment, and emotional support.
Many abortion funds are focused geographically (such asMidwest Access Coalition), culturally (such asthe rise of indigenous women), or their focus. Is more specific, whether or not it is more specific. Logistic (helps pay for patients who have to travel long distances to have an abortion in late pregnancy, such as theBrigid Alliance).
To be precise, how the fund connects and approves patients seeking financial assistance care depends on the particular policy. Certain local funds fund women directly to contact the organization, but funds such as theWomen's Reproductive Rights Support Projectask clinics and healthcare providers to charge directly. To do.
Changes in state law can affect these individual funds. The Texas Equal Access Fund announced on Friday that it will suspend funding. “Due to the uncertainties and risks that the decision may pose, we are suspending funding today until we have the opportunity to understand when the decision is announced.”The organization tweetedThey directed potential patients to the websiteIneedana.com, the National Clinic Directory.
"We are furious"tweeted the Massachusetts-based abortion fund Jane Fund. However, the organizationhas assured followersthat they and other abortion funds are "doing their best, that is, continuing to carry out the abortion fund."
Eliana Dockterman (eliana.dockterman@time.com)
