Abortion is legal in Montana. That doesn't mean it's accessible | Opinion

At the Montana Abortion Access Program, we close gaps in abortion access so everyone can receive the abortion care they want, need and deserve. June 24 marked the fourth anniversary of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade and the federal right to abortion. Since then, 13 states have passed total abortion bans, with an additional six banning abortion within the first trimester. We're grateful for the Montana Constitution's right to privacy, which continues to protect abortion, but we know firsthand that legal standing does not mean access. Since 2022, we've seen a surging need. Abortion is legal here, but how do people reach one of six clinics and afford care that ranges from $300 to $2,300, plus childcare, gas, lodging, and lost wages?

Consider a client in Glendive, Havre or on tribal lands traveling to Great Falls or Billings, only to learn they need a procedure that requires another trip to Helena. Costs can quickly top $1,000 for a working parent between abortion care, gas, hotel, and childcare. This is where MAAP, founded in 2009, steps in. We ensure no one is denied care because of their inability to pay. As essential costs continue to climb, these added expenses are out of reach for many, especially amid Medicaid cuts and growing health barriers. In 2025, we supported 729 people, contributed more funding than in our first 12 years combined, and funded nearly a quarter of everyone who received abortion care in the state.