President’s Message

Dear Friends,

Kansas has been on the front line of the fight for abortion rights for years and it is not about to let up. The Kansas anti-abortion constitutional amendment recently failed; however , anti-choice lawmakers and interest groups are blocking Medicaid expansion in retaliation.
 
Let’s be clear. Kansans deserve the right to make their own personal, private medical decisions without a legislator’s interference. Our constitutional right to make a decision for our bodies, our lives, and our futures should never be up for a vote. And constitutional rights are nothing without access.
 
Let’s do what WE can do today to guarantee abortion access no matter what. Let’s BOWL.
 
Our Bowl-a-Thon is a virtual event with two local events—in Lawrence and Wichita—which allow community members (like you) to captain your own fundraising teams as part of the reproductive rights movement. Join your friends virtually or in person by donating to a team!
 
 
In 2019 we provided assistance to 505 people, an increase of 25% over 2018. We were able to do this only because of you and your continued support. Thank you so much!
 
Sandy Brown
-President
KAF President Sandy Brown Gives Testimony to Kansas Legislature

Board members of the Kansas Abortion Fund have been following the proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution, and on Tuesday, January 20, Sandy Brown gave testimony against HCR 5019/SCR 1613 on behalf of KAF and the Kansans we serve. Below is an excerpt from her testimony:
 
“The fund has watched options for reproductive health care erode through government action, particularly over the past decade. The heaviest attack has been on people in crisis who don’t have the financial means to pay for an abortion or emergency contraception. Since there are only four clinics in Kansas, pregnant people often have to drive long distances to seek care. An overnight stay in a hotel and finding child care is necessary in many cases. Work is often missed. These factors along with financial stress and stigma against abortion make an already difficult situation much more trying. Restrictions on abortion have increased the number of Kansans we serve; we have never turned down a person in need. In 2019, we helped 505 Kansans, a 25% increase over 2018.
 
The Kansans we serve and their families will be hit first and hardest by HCR 5019/SCR 1613. Currently, low income people-often people of color due to structural racism frequently cannot afford what is theoretically a right guaranteed to all. Given the looming prospect of Roe v. Wade’s hollowing, reversal, or remanding back to the states, the proposed constitutional amendment will end access for those we serve entirely. For the low-income Kansans we support every day, this amendment would be a ban. We are committed to not allowing such a future to unfold.”
Susan Wagle Holds Medicaid Expansion Hostage Over Abortion Rights
 
We are halfway through Kansas' legislative session, and luckily a coalition of reproductive rights, health, and justice organizations have been successful so far in keeping a constitutional amendment banning the right to abortion from passing. Unfortunately, anti-abortion legislators and interest groups, spearheaded by Senate President Susan Wagle, are throwing a tantrum in response to their defeat. They refuse to let Medicaid expansion pass until the constitutional amendment does, putting 150,000 working Kansans' health in continued jeopardy. We love  this op-ed from Dr. Mae Winchester,  a Kansas City OB/GYN, about why both the anti-abortion constitutional amendment and refusing to expand Medicaid are dangerous and irresponsible. 
 
At the Kansas Abortion Fund, we recognize that abortion is one particularly stigmatized and difficult to access kind of health care that all people deserve, and the same folks who can't access abortions often can't access other kinds of health care either. As a KAF supporter who shares our values, we hope you contact your Senator and Representative ( link below ) to ask them to make sure Medicaid expansion isn't held hostage over your constitutional rights.

While you're at it, say "thanks" or "no thanks" to your legislator for their vote on the constitutional amendment (Senate votes are  here ; House votes are  here ). And THANK YOU for coming with us on our journey into more powerful advocacy work. We're proud to help ensure the Kansans we serve can continue accessing safe, legal abortion in our state. 
Be sure to save the date for Kansas Abortion Fund’s biggest fundraiser/party of the year, Bowl-A-Thon! This year, KAF is hosting TWO Bowl-A-Thons, one in Lawrence and one in Wichita. The Lawrence event will take place Sunday, April 19 at 6 p.m. and the Wichita event will take place Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m. Locations will be announced at a later date.
 
It’s never too early to start your team and begin fundraising.
 
IF YOU DONATE, YOU CAN BOWL. Any amount helps Kansans receive the abortion care they need.
 
We hope to see you in April in Lawrence or Wichita!