Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) introduced the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act to establish a grant program to help ease the financial burden of people that are being forced to travel, sometimes long distances, to access abortion care.  The effort comes following the House passage of Congresswoman Fletcher’s bill, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, H.R. 8297, which protects the right to travel for abortion. 

“In Texas, we are in a health care crisis, one that is impacting people across the country, and one that is growing,” said Congresswoman Lizzie 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 care they need no matter where they live.”

“Access to safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion, should not be limited to those with the resources to travel,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland.  “The decision to overturn Roe already affects low-income families, particularly women of color, across the country.  It is our responsibility to ensure equitable access to reproductive medical care for all women regardless of where they live.”

“Congress has a moral responsibility to do everything we can to support people seeking abortion care,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “This legislation provides funding to community-based organizations assisting people in trigger-ban states like Missouri who now have to travel out-of-state to receive an abortion. As we continue to fight for our reproductive freedoms, I’m proud to join Congresswomen Strickland and Fletcher in leading this effort to ensure that there are systems in place to support people today.” 

The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act would help cover roundtrip travel to the location where the abortion is provided, lodging, meals, childcare, and doula care. Eligible entities under this program include abortion funds and practical support organizations.

Congresswoman Fletcher continues to lead efforts to protect access to abortion and to protect the private data of people seeking reproductive health care.  She has also introduced legislation challenging the bounty system created in Texas Senate Bill 8.  Congresswoman Fletcher is an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which establishes a statutory federal right to abortion free from medically unnecessary restrictions.  

To read the full text of the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act, click here.