Sen. Baldwin Introduces Bill To Fund Abortion Travel

By Baylor Spears, Wisconsin Examiner

December 12, 2022

Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin introduced a bill last week to establish a grant program that would provide support to people that need to travel long distances to receive abortion care. The “Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act,” co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), would prioritize supporting people in states or jurisdictions where abortion is banned or severely limited like in Wisconsin, which has an 1849 abortion ban that doesn’t make exceptions for rape or incest.

“Women in states like Wisconsin are being forced to travel out of state just to see a doctor for critical health care, including abortion,” Baldwin said in a press release. “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 be able to make the health care decisions that are best for their family, health, and future.”

The federal grant program would allocate $350 million per year for four years to assist people needing to cross state lines. The money could be used for different costs associated with obtaining an abortion including round trip travel to the location where abortion services are provided, lodging, meals, child care, translation services, doula care, patient education and information services. The money could not be used to pay for the procedure itself. Non-profit or community-based organizations that help people seeking abortions through programs, services or activities would be eligible to apply for funding.

Planned Parenthood, which was Wisconsin’s primary abortion provider, halted its abortion services at its locations in Milwaukee, Dane and Sheboygan counties after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Under the Wisconsin abortion ban, providers could be prosecuted as felons if they continued to offer abortion services. Since the Supreme Court decision, Wisconsin residents seeking services have had to go out of state. Planned Parenthood of Illinois said there was a tenfold increase in the number of patients coming from Wisconsin to receive services in the weeks following the Court’s decision.

Baldwin introduced her bill during Congress’ lame duck period. If it doesn’t pass by the end of the year it would need to be reintroduced in the new session. Republican control of the House of Representatives in the new session would mean the bill, if reintroduced, would face a difficult path to passage.

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