NOTES FROM THE NYAAF BOARD MEMBER HANDLING INCOMING CALLS FOR OUR ASSISTANCE THIS WEEK:

What a busy week for funding! NYAAF was able to assist five women to access abortion services, but we had calls or emails from 12 women! (some were able to get Medicaid, others were still making arrangements for their procedure so did not have them this week)

One case really highlighted for me the impact our current economy is having on us all, especially women who need health services. This caller had a history of difficult pregnancies and had no children because of her problems carrying to term. She called NYAAF because she and her partner were concerned that she was pregnant at this time…they realized that since he had lost his job and she could not afford maternity leave they would have a hard time raising a child or paying expensive medical bills that could result from a difficult pregnancy. She did not have insurance from her work but made too much to be eligible for Medicaid. She was making just enough money to get by so NYAAF stepped in and covered her abortion procedure.

In this tough economy we have a greater and greater need to support women so that abortion is not just accessible, but also affordable and funded!

Karlin