For Abortion Access in the South, Virginia Plays a Critical Role

Viriginia plays a critical role for abortion access in the South. In fact, Virginia is the only southern state that did not enact a post-Dobbs abortion ban, leaving it the only southern state without a full abortion ban or extremely restrictive ban on the books. April Greene, Executive Director at the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund, talks to us about Virginia’s important role in continuing to provide care for the southern region and help ensure reproductive freedom nationwide.  

In 2024, more than any other state, Virginia saw the largest increase in out-of-state abortion seekers. Patients are coming from all over, but the largest number of abortion seekers come from Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. As patients are traveling to access care, they encounter practical barriers, including transportation, lodging, childcare, food, and time away from work. These barriers can impact if and when someone accesses an abortion. The post-Dobbs landscape makes access more complicated for patients and abortion funds who support them. Before Dobbs, Blue Ridge Abortion Fund’s funding budget ranged from $9,000 - $14,000 a week. After Dobbs, the budget increased to $20,000 a week to account for new needs. 

Virginia voters have the opportunity in November to vote on a ballot initiative that would enshrine reproductive freedom in the state’s constitution, protecting abortion and other reproductive healthcare into the Virginia constitution.  

LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE

Blue Ridge Abortion Fund 
Blue Ridge Abortion Fund on Instagram 
Blue Ridge Abortion Fund on Facebook 
The Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment 

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Transcript

Jennie: Welcome to rePROs Fight Back, a podcast on all things related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. [music intro]

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