Posted on Jul 25, 2022
The role of independent funds to help people access abortion is growing
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/07/25/ [login to see] /the-role-of-independent-funds-to-help-people-access-abortion-is-growing
Kim Floren has spent the last several weeks trying to comfort people panicking about the end of Roe v. Wade.
"Everybody has been on the spectrum from just being in tears to total panic about what they're going to do," said Floren, who runs South Dakota's Justice Through Empowerment Network, one of more than 100 independent abortion funds around the country.
Abortion funds raise and distribute money to people who need help paying for abortions, including procedure and travel costs. In 2020, funds across the country helped nearly 45,000 people pay for abortions.
Most funds serve specific states or regions, while others focus on particular populations like Indigenous women. Some, like Floren's, are run entirely by volunteers. Others are part of clinics or larger organizations like Planned Parenthood.
Some abortion funds have been around for decades, but their importance to abortion access is growing in a post-Roe world, especially in states like South Dakota that now ban abortion.
Kim Floren has spent the last several weeks trying to comfort people panicking about the end of Roe v. Wade.
"Everybody has been on the spectrum from just being in tears to total panic about what they're going to do," said Floren, who runs South Dakota's Justice Through Empowerment Network, one of more than 100 independent abortion funds around the country.
Abortion funds raise and distribute money to people who need help paying for abortions, including procedure and travel costs. In 2020, funds across the country helped nearly 45,000 people pay for abortions.
Most funds serve specific states or regions, while others focus on particular populations like Indigenous women. Some, like Floren's, are run entirely by volunteers. Others are part of clinics or larger organizations like Planned Parenthood.
Some abortion funds have been around for decades, but their importance to abortion access is growing in a post-Roe world, especially in states like South Dakota that now ban abortion.
The role of independent funds to help people access abortion is growing
Posted from npr.org
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Medical
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Abortion
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Funds are dealing with their own fear and uncertainty too. Texas funds have temporarily stopped paying for abortions, unsure if they can legally operate under the state's restrictive laws. At least one other fund in Alabama has done the same. The National Network of Abortion Funds is offering grants to help funds hire lawyers.
It's just another thing to worry about for funds that were already struggling to meet demand before Roe was overturned. Survey data from the National Network of Abortion Funds show about half of the people who call abortion funds don't receive any financial support. Fund leaders are concerned that donations will slow while demand stays high.
"I just feel like it's going to get worse before it gets better," Floren said. "And I don't think anybody really knows what that's going to look like. And that's the scary part."
..."Funds are dealing with their own fear and uncertainty too. Texas funds have temporarily stopped paying for abortions, unsure if they can legally operate under the state's restrictive laws. At least one other fund in Alabama has done the same. The National Network of Abortion Funds is offering grants to help funds hire lawyers.
It's just another thing to worry about for funds that were already struggling to meet demand before Roe was overturned. Survey data from the National Network of Abortion Funds show about half of the people who call abortion funds don't receive any financial support. Fund leaders are concerned that donations will slow while demand stays high.
"I just feel like it's going to get worse before it gets better," Floren said. "And I don't think anybody really knows what that's going to look like. And that's the scary part."
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