Wicked Local | Need an abortion in Massachusetts? New law could help make it easier to access care
By Margaret Smith
Story Originally Appeared in Wicked Local
If you're looking for abortion services in Massachusetts, you might have more luck in Boston or some surrounding communities than on the Cape, South Shore or Western Mass.
At the same time, some trends are easing access, such as remote appointments and medication abortions — which can be done up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Care providers and reproductive rights advocates are working to ease access for everyone in the state, and hope new state legislation will help.
Where are abortion providers in Massachusetts?
Reproductive Equity Now, a nonprofit organization, provides a list of 20 hospitals and clinics providing abortion services on its website.
The online list provides search options, including by hospital, clinic, and zip code.
Attleboro -- 1
Beverly -- 1
Boston -- 6
Brookline -- 2
Cambridge -- 2
Greenfield -- 1
Haverhill -- 2
Lawrence -- 1
Springfield -- 2
Worcester -- 2
"We do have what are called abortion deserts, where you have to travel more than 50 miles," said Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.
Planned Parenthood operates four clinics in Boston, Marlborough, Worcester and Springfield.
Childs-Roshak cited Cape Cod and the Islands as one such abortion desert.
"Some of the far western parts of the states, people are traveling 30 miles. ... Those are barriers," Childs-Roshak said.
"Sometimes, the nearest abortion providers might be in New York, or Connecticut, depending on where folks live," said Taylor St. Germain, spokesperson for Reproductive Equity Now.
St. Germain said, "Our state borders are sometimes very porous. People may live in New Hampshire, but travel to Massachusetts for work. Those deserts do exist, and they need a hard look."
Reproductive Equity Care Now has published a guide to abortion care in New England.
Childs-Roshak added, "You can live next door to Planned Parenthood. But if you don't have someone to watch your kids, or you can't take time off from work, then you can't go to the appointment."
Abortion providers in focus
The Department of Public Health provides a list of 80 licensed reproductive health services providers, but not all the providers offer abortion services.
In response to a public records request, the Department of Public Health declined to release a list of all abortion service providers, but instead referred to Reproductive Equity Now's link of abortion service providers.
Ann Scales, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Health, said not all providers wish to appear on the list. For example, Scales said some obstetric and gynecologist specialists provide abortion services for patients, but not the general public.
How many abortions happen in Massachusetts, the US?
The Department of Public Health provided numbers of reported abortions from 1976 to 2020. Although the numbers vary year to year, overall, the trend shows a decline.
The highest year on record was 1979, with 44,044 abortions performed. The lowest was 2020, with 16,452 abortions performed.
There are many reasons to account for the trends, including the COVID pandemic, which saw limitations and delays on many medical services due to isolation rules.
However, reported abortions have not gone above 20,000 since 2010, according to the state's data. The trend reflects a nationwide drop, reported by the Guttmacher Institute.
Among likely reasons, said St. Germain, is the Affordable Care Act, which includes provisions for insurance coverage for contraception.
"We are continuing to work to destigmatize access to contraception. Increasing access to contraception is probably the biggest reason," St. Germain said.
Remote appointments, medication abortion alleviate some in-person visits
Childs-Roshak said both the increasing popularity of remote consultations for many medical services, and the increased use of medication abortion, have helped ease access for some.
Medication abortions now account for more than half of abortions nationwide, said Childs-Roshak, who said a patient needs to be eligible. Eligibility includes being 10 weeks pregnant or less, and not having medical complications that could affect the safety of a medical abortion.
The costs of abortion
According to data in Reproductive Equity Now's list of Massachusetts abortion providers, the cost of a surgical abortion can range from $600 to $3,300, depending on many factors, including insurance.
St. Germain noted the fiscal 2023 budget includes $2 million for abortion funds, including for travel and childcare costs.
New Massachusetts law seeks to break down abortion barriers
On July 29, Gov. Charlie Baker signed legislation expanding protections to abortion and gender-affirming care.
St. Germain cited new measures such as:
A requirement that insurance cover abortion and abortion-related care, and to insure coverage is not subject to cost sharing, which advocates said may help low-income people.
A requirement for the state's public colleges and universities provide medication abortion at campus health centers.
An order for both prescription and over-the-counter emergency contraception, making no-cost insurance coverage possible without delay.
A statutory change ensuring that over-the-counter emergency contraception can be sold in vending machines.
A confidential address program for reproductive health care and gender-affirming care providers to protect providers' safety.
Following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade, Massachusetts lawmakers moved to enforce protections for abortion rights.
Childs-Roshak said, "It's not just thinking about how people can access abortion care by driving. Cost can be a barrier. Making sure people have insurance, making sure insurances are covering abortion care, making sure we can leverage technology — all those are pieces that still have to be done."