In a state like Connecticut, where reproductive rights are legally protected, it is easy to assume that care is always within reach. However, as our team discovered this semester, legal protection does not always translate to practical access. This past spring, our student research team at the Liberal Arts Action Lab partnered with the REACH Fund of Connecticut to investigate the financial, logistical, and emotional hurdles that residents face when seeking abortion care. By combining data analysis with powerful community testimonies, our project sought to bridge the gap between “legal rights” and “real-world access.” Ultimately, this work matters because it provides a data-driven foundation for policy changes that ensure healthcare in Hartford is not just a right on paper, but a reality for everyone, regardless of their zip code or income level.
The core objective of our project was to support the REACH Fund of Connecticut, a non-profit founded in 2021 that provides financial assistance to those traveling to, from, and within the state for abortion care. The REACH Fund is an all-volunteer organization that recognizes that even though abortion is legal in Connecticut, costs between $600 and $2,000, plus hurdles like travel, childcare, and insurance gaps, make it inaccessible for many residents. Our group was responsible for identifying the specific barriers faced by individuals and the role that Medicaid plays in reducing these hurdles. Through this collaboration, we learned that structural inequality deeply shapes healthcare access, especially in Hartford, where the median income is approximately $50,000 compared to $96,000 statewide.
To accomplish our community partner’s goals, our group employed a mixed-methods research approach. We conducted an extensive literature review and analyzed secondary data from sources like the Guttmacher Institute and the CDC. We also analyzed 969 survey responses and 46 public testimonies to understand the lived experiences of those seeking care. This data allowed us to produce policy recommendations and a public-facing website to share our findings.
As we delved deeper into the data, three main findings stood out that our local community should know. First, access is heavily shaped by race and income; 62% of our survey respondents identified as Black or African American, and 50% were either uninsured or on Medicaid. Second, financial and logistical barriers frequently overlap; individuals dealing with persistent poverty also struggle with housing insecurity and a lack of reliable transportation, which compounds the difficulty of obtaining care. Third, we found that without robust support systems and financial aid, many individuals still experience long-term economic hardship following an abortion denial.
Our findings contribute to the ongoing effort to ensure that all Hartford residents can exercise their reproductive rights without being hindered by their financial status. This experience has been the most impactful part of our semester, as it taught us that research is most powerful when it is conducted in service of the community. We invite everyone in the Trinity and Hartford communities to check out our project website to learn more.
