WASHINGTON — Democratic senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Patty Murray of Washington have introduced a bill designed to help cover costs for people who have to travel long distances to receive reproductive healthcare, including abortions.
The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2022, which comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade case, would set up a grant program that would help cover travel, lodging, childcare and other expenses for people traveling to receive reproductive health care.
Under the program, the treasury secretary would be able to award grants to nonprofit and community groups that help people seeking abortions. The bill would fund the program at $350 million annually from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2027, with the money being prioritized for people who live in states where abortion access is restricted or outright banned.
It would not, however, allow groups to use the money to cover the costs of an abortion procedure.
“Right now in states across the country, Americans are unable to make their own health care decisions,” Baldwin said in a news release. “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 be able to make the health care decisions that are best for their family, health, and future.”
Murray, meanwhile, called the legislation a “bold” solution to a “full-fledged health care crisis that is jeopardizing women’s health and forcing them to stay pregnant against their will.”
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