Proposal 5 isn’t reproductive-care cure-all

In November of 2022, Vermonters overwhelmingly voted in favor of Proposal 5, the Reproductive Liberty Amendment, which enshrined abortion rights into the state’s constitution, making history as the first U.S. state to recognize reproductive autonomy as a fundamental right for all.

Despite the popularity of the amendment, barriers to accessing reproductive care are still a reality for many Vermonters, over two years later.

“Right now, one of our biggest barriers to accessibility in the state is the funding deficit that Planned Parenthood is experiencing,” explains Jessica Barquist, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.

The approximately $8.6 million deficit is driven by COVID-19, inflation, insufficient reimbursement rates and an increased demand for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s free and discounted care, said the organization’s CEO, Nicole Clegg at a press conference earlier this year.

Working to create financial stability for Vermonters is a top priority for Planned Parenthood, Barquist said, since the organization is credited with serving nearly 16,000 patients per year, 54 percent of which are low income and have trouble accessing care.

The beginning of the Trump administration poses further threats to programs that serve low-income Vermonters. Despite the slew of executive orders that could potentially impact care, Barquist said that the important thing is that there is no impact to services.

For those who need extra reassurance, Barquist said that part of the intent of these executive orders is to scare folks into stop providing care and for people to stop getting the care they need. “The biggest thing that we are doing is reassuring folks that we are not going to stop providing care, that we’re here for everyone who needs it and that they can keep coming in and getting exactly what they need.”

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England is working to create financial stability through increased Medicaid wreaths, financial investments by the state and the creation of what’s called the Safe Harbor Fund, a collaboration with the state treasurer’s office to help folks with collateral costs related to reproductive or gender-affirming care.

State treasurer, Mike Pieciak, said that the Safe Harbor Fund has the potential to help Vermonters cover costs related to child care, travel and lodging, eliminating many of the barriers which prevent Vermonters from accessing reproductive care in the first place.

Barriers to accessibility is no news to those living in rural areas. In 2017, 64 percent of Vermont counties were without any abortion clinics, and 38 percent of Vermonters lived in those counties.

Telehealth offers some relief to patients living farthest from one of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s seven clinics across the state, with over 25 percent of the 16,000 patients seen last year utilizing the online service.

A soon-to-be-proposed bill is seeking to “expand the ability of telehealth, and allow for asynchronous care for abortion services,” said Barquist, further combating rural barriers to reproductive care.

Additionally, the bill hopes to update shield protections for providers, “including removing the provider name from prescription bottles related to abortion and gender-affirming care,” Barquist noted.

These updated shield laws come at a time of unrest regarding the safety of abortion providers, with New York’s Dr. Margaret Carpenter facing felony charges for allegedly prescribing abortion pills to a pregnant minor in Louisiana. This case is the first of its kind.

Although politicians and organizations such as Planned Parenthood of Northern New England are working to make reproductive care more accessible in Vermont, the constitutional protection does not give Vermonters a reason to disengage with the conversation.

When asked how her role at Planned Parenthood has changed since the enshrinement of reproductive rights in Vermont’s constitution, Barquist explained that “day-to-day things aren’t that much different.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t good news.

“One of our biggest hurdles is trying to make sure that folks understand that just because it’s enshrined in our Constitution, doesn’t mean that we’re 100 percent safe in Vermont. Federal directives, executive orders or acts of Congress could still take away these rights,” Barquist said.

She urges “average Vermonters” to stay engaged and understanding of these issues. So, how exactly do Vermonters stay engaged?

“The biggest thing for folks to do,” said Barquist, “is work with their healthcare provider to ensure that they have the care that they need.”

She also urges Vermonters to get involved again on social media, stating that “it was a huge organizing effort to get to Prop. 5, and that has definitely fallen off since it was passed.”

Following groups such as the Vermont Action Fund, Vermont Access and the ACLU of Vermont on social media and donating to their campaigns helps low-income Vermonters access abortion services, which can range anywhere from $500 to $2,000 (https://tinyurl.com/3jay6xuk), depending on the type of abortion and how far along one is into their pregnancy.

Signing up for email lists is essential as well. “We are going to send out action alerts whenever something is coming up that we need to fight against, and we need more folks in the fight with us,” Barquist said.

Recent news regarding reproductive care in the state, such as the permanent closure of the St. Johnsbury Planned Parenthood in June, and the proposed closing of Lamoille County’s Copley Hospital Birthing Center, further threatens access to care for many across the state. Being alerted to changes in reproductive access in Vermont, such as proactive protocols in place at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (https://tinyurl.com/23ded4vy), will keep Vermonters informed and ready to fight.

A February 18 email from that organization said that reproductive care is essential for Vermonters, “and it is essential that we do everything we can to protect access to it.” In regards to threats from the Trump administration, Barquist encourages Vermonters to find the balance between being aware and not being afraid, in order to fight back in the moments when it’s most needed.