New England Abortion Access Policy Brief

New England Abortion Access Policy Brief

Dr. Brianna Keefe Oates, Northeastern University

Policy Brief 2024-5

March 2025

New England has historically been characterized by less restrictive abortion laws and cross-border travel for abortion due to the small geographic region, which includes Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont. While the existing legal landscape facilitates access to abortion services, access is not guaranteed for all. New England has a robust network of abortion funds that support people who cannot access abortion due to barriers. After the Dobbs decision of 2022, the region saw a small but growing increase in the number of people traveling from out of state to access care. Providers and supporters, such as abortion funds, in the region have been struggling to ensure access in a timely and affordable manner for all. We present here the current challenges to abortion access in New England, as well as recent trends in abortion access and needs, and needs of abortion funds in the region to continue supporting patients who travel for abortion care. Understanding the current state of access, as well as gaps in access and how organizations are working to address those gaps, is crucial to identifying how policies and organizations can improve abortion in the region.