2024 Kentucky Reproductive Freedom Fund: Report to Funders
Post election, as we consider the impact the new administration will have on reproductive rights, the critical work at the local and state level continues to be vitally important. Change to the legal landscape of abortion access will come from state courts.
For over two years, Kentucky has one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country, with no exceptions for rape, incest, fetal abnormalities, cancer - an unthinkable extreme. Doctors are unable to treat common pregnancy complications like miscarriage without fearing criminal charges. Delayed care until a life-threatening situation arises has worsened health outcomes, increased financial and emotional burdens on patients, and driven medical students to seek residencies in other states. Kentuckians are unable to receive care that they deserve in their own communities and state.
Unsupported by science or leading U.S. health organizations, Kentucky's abortion laws endanger health and limit doctors' ability to provide essential and the highest standard of care. This is unacceptable.
The founders of the Kentucky Reproductive Freedom Fund (KYRFF) have fought for reproductive health and freedom for over four decades. Despite facing harassment from governors, attorneys general, state legislators, and anti-abortion protesters, they have remained steadfast on the frontlines where abortion care is under threat. As owners of EMW Women’s Surgical Center they provided care, trained residents, and acted as plaintiffs in a multitude of Kentucky legal cases challenging restrictive legislation, including the post-Roe case at the Kentucky Supreme Court and a 2022 case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The all-volunteer, non-profit KYRFF is an integral part of the work focusing on education, advocacy, policy reform, providing a platform for physicians and health care providers to raise their voices and keep this critical topic in the media.
In the fiscal year 2024, the Kentucky Reproductive Freedom Fund was proud to fund:
A “Day at the Capitol” event with Kentucky Physicians and Allied Health Professionals who raised concerns about Kentucky’s restrictive abortion bans through meetings with legislators, as well as a press event
KYFFF drafted a letter for physicians and healthcare providers, calling for the repeal of the abortion bans, which has currently garnered over 400 signatures and was unveiled at a 2024 press conference at the capital.
Lexington, KY, a press event and statewide campaign that raised awareness about the dire consequences of Kentucky’s abortion ban, featuring two mobile billboard trucks in Frankfort, Lexington, and Bowling Green, five rural billboards, and digital ads. The campaign emphasized the harmful effects on both the medical community and the broader population, urging Kentuckians to sign a pledge calling for the repeal of restrictive abortion laws. The digital ads reached 1.8 million impressions across multiple platforms reiterating our message the bans are driving away doctors and putting women in danger. https://www.kyrff.com/blog-home/statewide-campaign-shines-light-on-consequences-of-kentuckys-abortion-ban
A Press event in Bowling Green that drew attention to the ongoing implications of Kentucky's severe abortion ban where advocates and medical professionals brought a mobile billboard truck to mark the two years since the ban's enactment in Kentucky
An op-ed by Dr. Alecia Fields and Medical Student Shriya Dodwani that detailed how Kentucky’s abortion ban is driving away doctors and hurting women.
An op ed by the KYRFF founder and the ACLU-KY highlighting the economic consequences states experience when they choose not to embrace equality and freedom.
One graphic from our 2024 media campaign.
The 2024 media campaign garnered: 34 statewide media clips (press and television) view a few below:
Kentucky Doctors Unite Against State Abortion Bans
Campaign launched against Kentucky’s abortion restrictions
Abortion access advocacy group gathers in Bowling Green on Kentucky tour
Kentuckians Sound the Alarm: Abortion Bans Are Driving Doctors Out of State
While we don’t know each person’s story, we understand the harm, because we have spent decades caring for people from every walk of life. Post Roe, we’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that everyone can make the pregnancy decision that is right for them, free of judgment, barriers, and government interference.
After all the setbacks, we still firmly believe that we will prevail and are on the right side of equality and human freedom.
Thank you for being there with us as we continue to fight and navigate an uncertain future.
Ona Marshall and Dr. Ernest Marshall
Founders, The Kentucky Reproductive Freedom Fund