WFSB | CT’s attorney general, pro-choice group launch abortion access hotline

By Rob Polansky and Susan Raff | Originally Published by WFSB

HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - In the midst of an uncertain national abortion landscape, Connecticut’s attorney general and a pro-choice organization announced the launch of an abortion access resource.

They announced a new hotline that will provide free confidential legal advice about obtaining or providing an abortion.

The number to call is 833-309-6301.

The goal is to help women and providers get care without fear of litigation and harassment.

Attorney General William Tong and the Repro Equity Now Foundation participated in a news conference on Friday at 10 a.m.

Attorney General William Tong and the Repro Equity Now Foundation participated in a news conference on Friday at 10 a.m.

They were joined by representatives from law firms across Connecticut at the attorney general’s office in Hartford.

“There is, in this country now, a war on American women and patients,” Tong said. “And if there is a war, and if there is, Texas is the front, Mississippi is the front, Florida, Louisiana.”

The hotline has been set up not just for patients, but providers as well.

Calls will be responded to within a couple of days to connect callers to free legal support.

Abortion providers in Connecticut are helping many patients from out of state. Just this year alone, they said there was a 150 percent increase in patients traveling from other states to get care.

Doctors were said to be concerned about litigation and harassment.

Those doctors also said there is confusion and fear among patients following the election.

They have been stocking up on birth control and they advised patients not to travel to states where there are restrictions. The concern is something could happen with the pregnancy and the patient would not be able to get care.

President-Elect Trump has not been clear on what he will do to protect abortion rights.

In 2016 at an MSNBC town hall, Trump said there has to be some form of punishment for women who get abortions.

“After Tuesday’s presidential election, we know there is a lot of confusion, fear, terror, and grief,” said Becca Hart Holder, Reproductive Equity Now.

When Roe versus Wade was overturned, women from states with restrictions and bans started coming to Connecticut.

This year, Connecticut saw a 150 percent increase in out-of-state patients. These laws protect abortion care and protect records of patients seeking an abortion.

Some states are going after women who seek an abortion in states where they are protected.

“The outcome of this is affecting people in Connecticut,” said Dr. Iyanna Liles, Women’s Health CT.

Dr. Iyanna Liles says more of her patients are opting for sterilization because they fear a national abortion ban.

She advises her pregnant patients not to travel to states where there are bans because she won’t be able to help them.

The hotline is being managed by the Reproductive Equity Now Foundation.

The number is 833-309-6301. There is also a website: CLICK HERE.

“This election isn’t just about abortion, it’s about reproductive health care. We knew it was going to be on the line, we knew contraceptive access was going to be on the line. If anything we are seeing more and more trying to figure out how do I make this permanent, how do I get control over my body back.”