Congressman Dan Goldman Works to Ease Financial Burdens for Women Forced to Travel for Abortion Care
Wave of States Banning Abortion After Disastrous Dobbs Decision Forcing Women to Travel to Access Abortion Care
The ‘Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act’ Would Authorize $350 Million to Organizations Helping Women Obtain Abortion Care in Other States
Financial Burdens to Abortion Disproportionately Impacts Low-Income Women, Women of Color
Read the Bill Here
Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in introducing the ‘Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act,’ which would support women attempting to access abortion care that may be unavailable in their state. This legislation would provide grants to non-profit and community-based organizations – including abortion funds – to offset the cost of travel-related expenses.
Due to strict abortion bans in 14 states following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, women are either forced to give birth or travel across state lines for abortion care. Cost of travel, child-care, overnight housing, and the lost wages from taking time off can be insurmountable for many women, especially low-income women and women of color.
“The Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision has caused disproportionate harm to low-income women in Republican-controlled states,” Congressman Goldman said. “The cost of traveling and ability to take time off of work means that only wealthy women are able to access abortion while women of color and low-income women are more routinely subject to forced births. Supporting the non-profit and community-based organizations who are leveling the playing field helps ensure that a woman’s socio-economic status or zip code does not dictate the health care she can receive. As Republican state legislatures continue their war on women, I will do everything in my power to ensure all women can access critical abortion care.”
The ‘Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act’ would set up a grant program, authorized at $350 million per year for FY24 through FY28, to help ease the financial burden associated with traveling long distances to access safe and legal reproductive health care. Specifically, the bill would allow the Treasury Secretary to award grants to eligible entities to pay for travel-related expenses and logistical support for individuals accessing abortion services. Funds, made available through a competitive grant, could be used for round trip travel, lodging, meals, childcare, translation services, doula care, patient education and information services, and lost wages.
Congressman Dan Goldman is committed to protecting abortion access across the country.
In June of 2023, Congressman Goldman and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) led 52 House Democrats in pressing Walmart, Costco, Safeway, Kroger and HealthMart to undergo the certification process to dispense mifepristone, the most common medication abortion drug. The members strongly urged them to facilitate access to reproductive health care services, including medication abortion, which are time sensitive and essential.
In March of 2023, the Congressman cosponsored the ‘Women’s Health Protection Act,’ which establishes a federal right for healthcare professionals to provide abortion care and the right for their patients to receive care, free from bans and medically unnecessary restrictions that single out abortion care. The ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ codifies and expands upon the rights established in Roe v. Wade.
Congressman Goldman is a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus.
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