Abortion Funds Are Spending Astronomical Amounts of Money to Help People Get Care

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.jezebel.com/abortion-funds-are-spending-astronomical-amounts-of-money-to-help-people-get-care

The very existence of abortion funds is a prime example of how Roe v. Wade didn’t guarantee abortion access. Not everyone has health insurance, and, in many states, insurance doesn’t cover abortion—plus the price of just showing up for an appointment can be a giant barrier when you factor in travel, lodging, lost wages, and childcare. Abortion funds and other practical support organizations help people cover these costs and, as we approach two years since Roe was overturned, these groups have been spending huge sums to assist people in the face of abortion bans.

Colorado’s Cobalt Abortion Fund said Thursday that it had spent $503,000 on clients in the first three months of 2024. Cobalt Fund is anticipating a few more clinic invoices for that period and, if the pace holds, they’re already projected to spend more than $2.2 million dollars this year. By comparison, they spent $206,000 in 2021 and then $1.25 million in 2023, the first full year without Roe. They spent about $70,000 more on practical support than on procedures in Q1, and 85% of their practical support clients were Texans who came to Colorado for care.

Breaking $1 million in annual client spending appears to be a bleak new norm. Lilith Fund, one of about 10 Texas-based groups, hit $1 million in 2023, or about $83,000 a month. In February 2024, Lilith spent $200,000, which was a record—until it distributed $240,000 the following month. Baltimore Abortion Fund also surpassed $1 million last year. Abortion Fund of Ohio distributed nearly $1.5 million in 2023 (or $120,000 a month). New York Abortion Access Fund spent $1.8 million ($148,000 a month). DC Abortion Fund spent nearly $2.7 million on clients in the 15 months from July 2022 through September 2023 ($180,000 a month). Chicago Abortion Fund dispersed $2.4 million in 2023 ($200,000 a month), supported in part by grants from the city of Chicago.

Mind you, these figures are just client costs, not operational expenses. Many funds and practical support organizations are doing this work with few paid staff members, if any, meaning they are desperately underfunded. And the need is growing.

We don't need to start an "underground railroad" or an "auntie network." Abortion funds do that work. They pay for transportation, hotels, meals, extra medical costs. Some help with child care or lost wages. Donating to abortion funds is like donating directly to people who need abortions but can't get them because of economic barriers. You can find an abortion fund near you here: https://abortionfunds.org/find-a-fund/

[wryter2000]

1. Thanks

I donated to a fund in the south.

[catrose]

2. I wish there was also a fund to help people relocate

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. Please donate to orgs that help women...

I do annually to Planned Parenthood.

[Solly Mack]

4. K&R

[WhiskeyGrinder]

5. afternoon kick

[Hekate]

6. KnR