Every day, abortion providers across the country take a deep breath, unlock the clinic door, and start their day. They know that patients who need their time, care, compassion and medical expertise are going to walk through their doors.
And they also know that protesters will flood their sidewalks, harass their patients and colleagues, and sometimes even attempt to block or break down their doors. They will face the day not knowing if their ISP will come to fix their Wi-Fi once they see the crowd of protesters outside, or if the police will help patients get into the clinic safely, or side with the protesters.
Abortion providers keep popping up, and we’re so thankful they do. That’s why we’re taking time to honor Abortion Provider Appreciation Day on March 10: to celebrate the extraordinary, loving dedication of abortion providers who show up in communities across the country and provide respectful and compassionate care every day.
As co-chairs of the board at Abortion Care Network, an abortion provider, and a proud ally, we know firsthand that independent clinics (india) are the heart of reproductive health care in this country. Independent clinics are vital to maintaining the current level of access to abortion and are absolutely essential to building a future in which a full range of care – from miscarriage management to subsequent abortions – is locally available to anyone who needs it.
Independent abortion providers provide the majority of care in the United States. Indie clinics are innovators, often on the frontlines of difficult and hostile environments, dedicated to providing comprehensive abortion care to their communities.
Sending our love to abortion providers across the country today. We want to start with abortion providers in the 14 states where abortion is no longer legal and the 11 states that are severely restricted. We see you!
We see those who have had to close their clinics and who have turned to provide other services in their community. We see every person who continues to advocate for the betterment of their country of origin and access to abortion. We stand with you and together we hold the vision of a country with true reproductive access.
To those in states where abortion is still legal, you have our sincere thanks for holding the line on reproductive rights and abortion care. We see you. We see the dedication, the exhaustion, and most importantly, the compassion you show to everyone who travels near you.
We also want to show our love and appreciation for all the organizations that help patients travel to receive much needed care. For decades and since the decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, our movement has created and supported a number of scrappy, creative and bold systems to get people the abortions they need: Funds and practical support organizations continue to work around the clock to ensure that people have the financial and logistical resources to have their abortions. Legal organizations are passionate about protecting people and pursuing every legal avenue. Advocacy organizations are changing the way people think and act about abortion rights and access. Activists share information about self-administered abortions and abortion pills by mail.
In this access ecosystem, indie clinics are irreplaceable and must be protected at all costs. Indies are the leaders in providing care throughout pregnancy — so no matter when a person may need an abortion and no matter the reasons, Indies are there to give them the emotional support and medical expertise they need . India is innovative in ensuring that people can access abortion care in clinics, in their homes or in another space that feels safe and comfortable. Even in restrictive states, many Indians still provide miscarriage management—and in a country where pregnancy outcomes can be criminalized, we desperately need trusted providers to help people experiencing any type of pregnancy loss.
Abortion providers deserve not only respect, but celebration. At a time when the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade and is poised to continue making access to abortion care more and more difficult, celebration is radical, and radical celebration is not only necessary but provocative. We need to shout our love for independent providers from the rooftops and we need to show up for them.
Abortion providers across the country deserve trust, respite, and common sense policies that allow them to treat their patients in a private setting with dignity, respect, and best medical practices at the center.
Indie providers are creative, caring, and strong—showing up to perform abortions every day while working toward a world in which we can shape our future. Abortion providers, their advocates and their allies are determined to create a future of fully accessible abortion care. We encourage you to celebrate abortion providers in your community today and every day they work to normalize abortionbecome a resource in your community by understanding meta-Dobbs landscape and knowing the abortion care providers closest to youand work to keep clinics open in your community and across the country by donating Keep our clinics.
Abortion providers don’t just dream of a world where their specialized medical care is accessible, affordable, and available to everyone who needs it—they work for it every day. Today, we celebrate them and invite you to join us in celebrating independent abortion providers and working to create a new world—a world where everyone can seek the care they deserve and need on their schedule and its terms.
