View in browser   |   Forward

The abortion landscape in Maine and nationally has changed dramatically since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Thirteen states now ban the procedure entirely, with limited exceptions. Twenty eight have bans based on gestational age; four states ban abortion after six weeks.

On the policy side, Maine has expanded access to abortion since the fall of Roe. But with the cost of abortion varying from about $525 to upwards of $1,500 (not including travel, lodging and childcare), and high deductibles for those who do have insurance, cost can be a barrier to care.

Many families do not have enough in savings to cover an unexpected medical expense: in a survey conducted by the Federal Reserve last year, 42 percent of adults nationwide said the largest emergency expense they could cover using only their savings was less than $1,000. Many were prepared to handle far less.

This week, Monitor contributor Emma Zimmerman takes a look at abortion funds, a nationwide network of groups that provide financial and logistical support for people seeking abortions, which have seen a jump in both needs and funding since Roe was overturned. In a related story, I take a look at the typical abortion patient in Maine, in nine graphs.

On a separate note, if you haven't already, be sure to sign up for The Maine Monitor's newest newsletter, "The Health Monitor," which launched this week. Every other week, Monitor senior health care reporter Rose Lundy will bring you an original story and a roundup of the latest healthcare news from around the state. Sign up here.

And lastly... we're hiring! Check out the jobs posted here.

— Kate

Abortion funds take on bigger role as access to funding shifts

Abortion funds have long provided financial and logistical support for people seeking abortions, either in the form of direct grants to patients or block grants to providers. Since the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, these groups have seen a jump in both patient need and outside support.

Read this story by Emma Zimmerman.

Who is the typical abortion patient in Maine? Abortion in Maine, in nine graphs. Read this story by Kate Cough.

Introducing the Health Monitor newsletter: I started covering healthcare in Maine during the pandemic. Here's how I've approached it since. Read this story by Rose Lundy.

Attorneys talk challenges, next steps at indigent defense symposium: The free event in Augusta, co-hosted by The Maine Monitor and the Maine Indigent Defense Center, examined the origins of the crisis, models in other states and the rollout of Maine’s new public defender offices. Read this story. 

Behind the scenes at Biddeford City Theater: Chasing Maine follows the dedicated staff and volunteers as they prepare for the production of "Holiday Inn," by Irving Berlin. Watch this video by Roger McCord.

Maine BEP approves final packaging rules: The Maine Board of Environmental Protection has finalized rules intended to reduce the amount of packaging waste produced in the state while boosting municipal recycling infrastructure and shifting costs onto companies and packaging producers. Read this story by Kate Cough.

Diagnosing abuse requires collaboration and expert advice, child advocates say

The advocates say assessments done in Maine child protective cases are not thorough and continue to leave children at risk in their homes.

Read this story by Barbara Walsh. 

Know of a story that we should be digging into? Send it to our newsroom. 

The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.