Survey evaluates obstacles to abortion care

From left, Tides for Reproductive Freedom co-executive directors and co-founders feyla mcnamara and kimika ross. Both do not capitalize their names. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Published: 12-09-2024 12:03 PM |
A recent survey conducted by the abortion fund Tides for Reproductive Freedom evaluated obstacles to accessing abortion care in Massachusetts.
The organization both provides funds for those who would otherwise be unable to access abortion care and advocates for reproductive rights, according to feyla mcnamara, one of the group’s founders. (Inspired by author bell hooks, mcnamara does not capitalize her name.)
“When we were founded, we didn’t have any interest in telling our communities what they want or need. We wanted to be sure that we were asking folks in Massachusetts what they need and what they encountered as barriers to accessing care,” mcnamara said. “The intention was to put it together to inform us how to structure our programming moving forward, as an abortion fund. So, where should the resources be going? What’s important? What’s important to consider when trying to provide holistic care to folks?”
The group surveyed 997 people in Massachusetts and found that many of those seeking abortion care came up against a variety of obstacles. Southpaw Insights analyzed the data for the organization.
Respondents spent an average $898 out of pocket to access an abortion, including money spent on medical expenses, transportation, and child care. Forty-five percent of respondents received financial support for their abortion.
Of those who reported experiencing barriers to accessing abortion care, 63% disclosed experiencing logistical barriers; 31% reported experiencing provider barriers, such as not trusting their doctors; 27% reported coming up against knowledge barriers, such as not understanding health insurance information; and 18% reported struggling with regulatory barriers, such as not understanding laws.
mcnamara noted that one of the biggest findings of the survey was that stigma around abortion played a large role in many peoples’ decision-making. Going forward, mcnamara said the group will focus on fighting stigma, in addition to providing funds.
Prior to conducting the survey, Tides for Reproductive Freedom reached out to more than 80 other community organizations, including the Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield, Greenfield Community College, the Athol Area YMCA and Planned Parenthood locations across Massachusetts, mcnamara said.
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“[We talked] to different nonprofits to introduce ourselves as an organization, to ensure that folks knew that we existed as a resource,” mcnamara explained.
Going forward, mcnamara said the organization will develop plans to address barriers to accessing care, using the survey results as a guide.
“We think very intentionally about what we can do as an organization,” mcnamara explained. “The community access scan … was born out of our deep commitment to our communities.”
More information can be found at tidesforchange.org/about-5.