Rising Fuel Costs Add Financial Pressure to Ohio Abortion Assistance Funds
Soaring fuel costs are forcing Ohio abortion assistance funds to stretch already limited budgets as demand for travel support has nearly doubled since 2022.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Soaring fuel prices for vehicles and aircraft are adding financial strain on abortion assistance funds that help Ohio residents and others travel to states where reproductive care remains accessible, according to leaders from multiple organizations nationwide.
These specialized funds provide support for individuals who must travel from states with restrictive abortion laws to access care elsewhere. The assistance covers not only the medical procedure itself but also transportation costs, hotel accommodations, meals, and other travel-related expenses, all typically funded through private donations.
Dramatic Increase in Demand Since 2022
The need for such assistance has grown significantly since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health in 2022. Poonam Dreyfus-Pai, interim executive director of the National Network of Abortion Funds, reported that the organization supported more than 158,000 people in 2025, compared to 82,000 in 2022.
The financial burden per person has also doubled during this period. Average costs have risen from less than $200 per person to nearly $400 nationwide, according to Dreyfus-Pai’s data released this week.
Funding Shortages Force Service Interruptions
The increased demand, combined with rising operational costs, has forced many organizations to temporarily suspend services. Approximately one-third of abortion funds in the National Network reported pausing their hotline services in 2025 due to funding shortages, staff burnout, legal barriers, and security concerns.
“We’re seeing that this year is even harder for funds, with many more funds having to pause services,” Dreyfus-Pai said Monday.
The assistance has become particularly important for residents of the 13 states that currently maintain near-total abortion bans. However, the funds also serve individuals who must travel due to gestational limits in states where abortion remains legal but with certain restrictions.
Transportation Costs Continue to Rise
The escalating cost of fuel represents an additional challenge for organizations already struggling to meet increased demand with limited resources. These rising transportation expenses affect both ground travel by car and air travel for those needing to cover longer distances to reach care providers.
Recent data indicates that nearly one in four people seeking out-of-state abortion care chose Illinois as their destination, making it a key corridor for individuals traveling from surrounding states with more restrictive laws.
The abortion funds operate independently from medical providers and rely primarily on individual donations and grants to maintain their services. As costs continue to rise across multiple categories, these organizations face the challenge of expanding their fundraising efforts while maintaining their core mission of ensuring access to reproductive healthcare.
