Since 1982, people seeking abortion care in Pennsylvania have been unable to use Medicaid to cover the cost. But thanks to decades of organizing, that unjust law was ruled unconstitutional on April 20.
This victory allowing Medicaid to be used for abortion care is the result of steady pressure from a broad coalition including Abortion Liberation Fund of Pennsylvania, Women’s Law Project, Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania, and other abortion providers, organizers, and allies.
Because of movements, the tide is turning towards reproductive freedom. Over 30 years, the state of Pennsylvania paid a total of $134 million to Real Alternatives, a network of crisis pregnancy centers that coerced people seeking abortions into not having abortions. This contract was finally cancelled in 2023 after organizing campaigns raised awareness about this misuse of public funds. And now, because of the April 20 victory, public funding will be used to cover abortion care for people on Medicaid across the state.