Six Months After Iowa’s Abortion Ban, A Crisis is Unfolding Across the Midwest
Media Contact:
Eleanor Grano, Communications Manager, Chicago Abortion Fund
Email: communications@chicagoabortionfund.org
Phone: 312-219-1611
Lyz Lenz, Chair Board of Directors, Iowa Abortion Access Fund
Email: eclenz@gmail.com
Phone: 319-651-8148
Cedar Rapids, IA – February 27, 2025 — Six months after Iowa’s six-week abortion ban took effect, new data from abortion funds reveals a funding crisis across the Midwest: More Iowans than ever are contacting abortion funds for support to leave the state for care.
By the Numbers: The Impact of Iowa’s Ban
Since the ban went into effect on July 29, 2024, abortion funds have seen a dramatic increase in Iowans forced to travel across state lines, driving up costs and straining financial resources shortly after national funding cuts hit clinics across the country on July 1, 2024. Based on estimates from regional abortion funds:
147 Iowans traveled to Illinois for abortion services
84 Iowans traveled to Nebraska for abortion services
130 Iowans traveled to Minnesota for abortion services
7 Iowans traveled to Kansas for abortion services
At the same time, the number of Iowans who need support to cover the cost of their procedure and out-of-state travel expenses has surged:
625 Iowans received abortion funding and practical support from abortion funds outside the state in 2024, compared to 194 in 2023 and 316 in 2022—a 222% increase in just one year.
Practical support spending (travel, lodging, childcare) increased from $2,536 in June 2024 to $10,262 in July 2024 to $7,139 in August 2024—the first full month under the ban.
The Iowa Abortion Access Fund has seen a 21% increase in Iowans needing help paying for abortions compared to 2021, the year before the Dobbs decision was passed.
Since the ban took effect, Midwest abortion funds have provided over $250,000 in direct assistance to Iowans seeking abortion care compared to under $100,000 the year prior to the ban.
Meanwhile, the number of Iowa clinics providing abortions before 6 weeks has dropped from five in 2023 to just two.
"The picture in Iowa is clear: The ban has not stopped Iowans from getting abortions, but it has made access more expensive and delayed care," said Leah Vanden Bosch, Development and Outreach Director, Iowa Abortion Access Fund (IAAF).
"We are just beginning to understand the full harm this ban has caused. It's pushing people out of state, raising costs, and making abortion riskier—especially for Black parents and marginalized communities. It’s also driving physicians away, worsening maternal healthcare in Iowa."
Abortion Access Across the Midwest: Increased Demand, Financial Strain, and Longer Wait Times for Abortion Appointments
The impact of Iowa’s abortion ban is being felt across the region, placing significant financial strain on abortion funds and increasing wait times for appointments in some neighboring states.
Illinois has absorbed the largest share of people impacted by abortion bans across the Midwest and South, with clinics currently managing the influx with little to no wait times for abortion.
Meanwhile, in other nearby states, wait times for appointments are growing:
Nebraska and Wisconsin clinics are experiencing 3-5 week wait times, forcing some Iowans to travel even further. (ineedana.com)
Minnesota and Kansas clinics have 2-3 week wait times, delaying care for both locals and out-of-state abortion-seekers. (ineedana.com)
"With Omaha sitting right on the Iowa border, we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of Iowans seeking care in Nebraska," said Shelley Mann, Executive Director of Nebraska Abortion Resources (NEAR).
"Our clinics are already stretched thin, and Iowans are often forced to travel even farther due to limited appointment availability in our state. This is what abortion bans do—they don’t stop people from needing abortions, they just make access harder and more expensive."
Minnesota has also seen a significant influx of Iowan abortion-seekers, increasing financial strain on regional funds.
“As an abortion fund situated in the Midwest, clients we support from Iowa more than doubled after the abortion ban,” said Shayla Walker, Executive Director of Our Justice. "For the last six months, we’ve been averaging 18 patients a month from Iowa at a total cost of $54,800—before the ban, we averaged around six at a fraction of the cost. The reality is abortion bans don’t stop people from needing abortions. Bans just make getting an abortion more difficult and more expensive, especially for those who are marginalized, widening the gap in access and mortality rates among Black, queer, disabled folks, and minimum wage workers.”
Abortion Funds Committed to Breaking Down Barriers for Iowans
Thousands of people rely on abortion funds each month, and in the face of relentless bans, funding cuts, and growing barriers to care, abortion funds continue to adapt and scale up their work to ensure no one is left behind. Across the Midwest, abortion funds are not just filling gaps—they are building lifelines, leveraging partnerships, and mobilizing resources in real time to meet people where they are.
When Iowa’s ban took effect, the Chicago Abortion Fund and Iowa Abortion Access Fund moved swiftly to form a strategic partnership, ensuring that Iowans facing new barriers to care had immediate, uninterrupted support. Through cross-state collaboration, resource-sharing, and individualized case management, abortion funds are proving that no ban will stop them from getting people the care they need.
“Abortion funds are nimble and relentless in responding to every new barrier, every policy shift, and every crisis moment,” said Megan Jeyifo Executive Director of the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF). "We knew the moment Iowa’s ban took effect, more people would be thrown into chaos, so we acted immediately—because we always do. In just the last year, we’ve handled over 16,000 support requests and distributed $5 million in direct assistance, the most in our 40-year history. This is what abortion funds do: We step up, we organize, and we make sure people get the care they want, need, and deserve."
But the stakes are only rising. As states impose harsher restrictions and national funding cuts deepen, abortion funds are being forced to stretch every dollar further, doing more with less. While they remain unwavering in their commitment to supporting abortion seekers, sustained investment is critical to ensuring they can continue to meet this crisis head-on.
"We are not waiting. We are not slowing down. Abortion funds have always been here, working together across state lines to get people to care—because access to abortion is not just about laws, it’s about the people who need care right now. No matter the barriers, we will find a way," Jeyifo said.
Through direct funding, strategic partnerships, and community-driven solutions, Midwest abortion funds are not only responding to this crisis unfolding in their region—they are redefining what’s possible. And with continued investment, they will keep breaking down barriers, ensuring that no one is denied the right to make their own decisions about their body, their future, and their freedom.
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The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) isn't just an organization; we're a movement. For 40 years, we've been tearing down barriers to abortion care in Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond. We're not just providing funding; we're supporting our callers in accessing freedom, dignity, and autonomy.
CAF offers support for clients seeking abortions including, procedure funding, travel and related needs like childcare, emotional support and logistical expertise. The organization has relationships with 75+ abortion clinics across 12 states, and supports people nationwide. Since the Dobbs decision, CAF has received support requests from over 33,000 people. In 2024 alone, CAF fielded over 16,000 support requests and distributed over $5 million in direct assistance.
The Iowa Abortion Access Fund was founded in 1969 and raises money for residents throughout the state of Iowa and the Quad Cities. They are dedicated to the belief that the freedom to choose legal abortion should be available to all individuals. IAAF is committed to providing financial assistance and access to abortion services for people in Iowa, including the Quad Cities area, who lack the resources to pay for an abortion.
Nebraska Abortion Resources Fund (NEAR) is dedicated to eliminating barriers to abortion access for Nebraskans. Founded in 2020 by a former abortion clinic worker and Nebraska native, NEAR began assisting people seeking abortion care in January 2022. We are committed to ensuring that all pregnant people have the ability to make decisions about their futures, including access to equitable abortion care. As a long-term resource for Nebraskans and the Midwest, NEAR works to make abortion access a reality for all, regardless of financial or logistical barriers.
Our Justice is dedicated to advancing reproductive justice by ensuring that everyone has the autonomy and resources to make informed decisions about sex, pregnancy, and parenting. Founded in 1967 by a coalition of doctors, clergy, and community members, Our Justice has remained steadfast in its mission to break down barriers to abortion and reproductive care through direct support, advocacy, and community-building.