We couldn’t be more excited to share this news: the Austin City Council has renewed the Practical Support Justice Fund with $100,000 in funding for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, naming Jane’s Due Process and Fund Texas Choice as recipients! This critical investment reaffirms the City’s commitment to supporting Austin and Travis County residents forced to travel out of state for abortion care. At Jane’s Due Process and Fund Texas Choice, we’ve witnessed firsthand the immense challenges Texans face in navigating an anti-abortion landscape. We hope you join us in celebrating this powerful step forward in the fight for reproductive justice.
This fund, originally established in 2019, was one of the first in the nation and has proven to be a vital resource for our communities. Over the years, it has provided critical support like transportation, lodging, childcare, meals, menstrual products, translation services, and emotional care to those navigating overwhelming barriers to care. These funds do not cover abortion procedures or medications but instead tackle the practical and emotional obstacles that too often stand in the way of accessing care. In a state where harmful laws force people to travel thousands of miles to get basic healthcare, Austin is showing up for our local community’s right to bodily autonomy!
The timing couldn’t be more urgent. In 2023 alone, Fund Texas Choice clients logged over 1.2 million miles – nearly 49 trips around the globe – to obtain care. Jane’s Due Process has also seen a surge in need, with the average practical support grant for their young clients increasing to $1,500 – a nearly threefold rise since the Dobbs decision. We’re also seeing an increase in young people seeking later-term care, as delays caused by compounding challenges – like long-distance travel and legal restrictions – push them further into pregnancy before they can access services. These numbers and experiences highlight the immense barriers Texans face, from navigating restrictive laws to traveling long distances, just to access reproductive care that should be available in any zip code.
This election season sent a clear message: people overwhelmingly support abortion access! In Amarillo, TX, voters decisively rejected a proposition to ban abortion travel in their city. Several states passed various ballot measures protecting abortion rights, with some even striking down abortion bans passed by their legislatures. By reaffirming funding to help Austinites access out-of-state care, the City of Austin has also demonstrated its commitment to supporting Austin and Travis County residents in their right to have an abortion. Together, we’re creating a future where Texans have the care and support they deserve.
These victories demonstrate the power of communities coming together to protect access to reproductive rights. Jane’s Due Process and Fund Texas Choice are proud to be supported by the City of Austin, as their renewed commitment inspires us to keep working toward a future where compassionate, safe, and dignified abortion care is not just a necessity but a standard across the country.
This fund is not only an essential resource for local residents – it’s an inspiring model for other jurisdictions to follow. In a post-Roe world, where access to abortion has become more dependent on geography than ever, cities like Austin are leading the way by showing how local governments can step up to support their residents.
Thank you, Austin, for your dedication to making reproductive care available to all!
