Central STL News

Washington D.C. — On June 22, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) joined Representatives Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) introduced the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act to provide grant assistance for those who travel long distances to receive reproductive health care, including abortion care.

“In the year since the far-right Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, 14 states including Missouri have banned abortion care, sometimes forcing residents in our states to travel hundreds of miles to get to the nearest available clinic. Too often our community members have had to scrape together hundreds to thousands of dollars just to pay for travel expenses or have had to forgo care altogether,” said Rep. Cori Bush. “I’m glad to join Representatives Strickland and Fletcher in re-introducing the Reproductive Health Travel Act to remove financial barriers for those in need of abortion care. Our bill would help protect reproductive freedom by making investments in wrap-around services like travel, lodging, translation services and childcare, and it would help the millions of people nationwide in need of this lifesaving medical care.”

“One year ago, the Supreme Court ripped the promise of equitable access to reproductive medical care away from millions of Americans, and MAGA extremists have spent every day since then trying to enact a national abortion ban,” said Rep. Strickland. “Access to safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion, should be accessible to everyone, but care is too often out of reach for low-income families and women of color across the country. The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act fulfills our responsibility to guarantee reproductive freedom for all women regardless of where they live.”

“Right now, in states across the country, millions of Americans are unable to make their own health care decisions,” said Sen. Baldwin. “Women in states like Wisconsin are being forced to travel out of state just to see a doctor for critical health care, including abortion. And for too many, the cost of travel, child care, overnight housing, and time away from work puts safe, comprehensive reproductive care totally out of reach. By reducing the costs of travel for people seeking reproductive care, more Americans will have the freedom to make the health care decisions that are best for their family, health, and future.”

“In overturning Roe and passing one extreme state abortion ban after the next, Republicans have unleashed a full-fledged health care crisis that is jeopardizing women’s health and forcing them to stay pregnant against their will. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Baldwin to help ease the financial burden on vulnerable women who are being forced to travel across state lines to access the health care they need,” said Sen. Murray. “Every woman deserves to have control over her own body and be able to get the care she needs—no matter what state she lives in—and that’s what this bill will help deliver.”

“Women and families in Texas and states across our country where abortion has been banned are in crisis,” said Rep. Fletcher. “One way to help people and organizations respond to this crisis is to authorize grants to eligible entities to pay for travel-related expenses and logistical support for women seeking abortion care in states where it is legal.  I am glad to partner with Congresswoman Strickland and Congresswoman Bush in this effort to ensure that Americans can get the reproductive care they need no matter where they live.”

A copy of the legislation text can be found HERE.

The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act will establish a grant program authorized at $350 million per year for FY24 through FY28 and allow the Treasury Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to pay for travel-related expenses and logistical support for individuals accessing reproductive health care. Funds would be available for round trip travel to access abortion services, lodging, meals, childcare, translation services, doula care, patient care and information services, and lost wages.

The lawmakers noted that following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, people already facing barriers to reproductive health care were disproportionately affected, particularly people of color, people with disabilities, low-income persons, and more. The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act would provide equitable access to reproductive and abortion care for all Americans.

Original cosponsors include Representatives Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05), Dina Titus (NV-01), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Sean Casten (IL-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03).

Endorsing organizations include the National Partnership for Women & Families, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Council of Jewish Women, National Network of Abortion Funds, Center for Reproductive Rights, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Chicago Abortion Fund, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Original source can be found here