Dawn Ericksen faced challenges with opioid addiction twelve years ago, and when she became pregnant, she was unable to ensure her own safety, let alone that of her baby. As she was only working part-time, she could not afford the expensive abortion procedure and had to rely on a trusted friend for financial assistance.

Ericksen, a 43-year-old lawyer from the southern region of New Jersey, has been sober for 10 years and is sharing her story to amplify women’s voices.

“I was aware that it was the best decision for myself. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I want to announce it to everyone and say, ‘Hey, I’m in a difficult situation,'” she expressed. “It was not simple to humbly approach and admit that I needed assistance. It’s a position of great vulnerability.”

Experiences like Ericksen’s are at the center of a renewed effort by New Jersey’s Democratic-led Legislature and governor, Phil Murphy, to bar women from having to pay out-of-pocket costs to get an abortion. New Jersey is among a group of Democratic-led states that are moving to reduce the barriers to abortion, even as many conservative states have been severely restricting a woman’s right to end her pregnancy since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

According to research conducted by KFF, a nonprofit organization focused on healthcare, New Jersey is one of ten states that mandates health insurers to cover abortion services. However, unlike the other states in this group, New Jersey does not prohibit out-of-pocket expenses for these services. In his recent annual address, Governor Murphy advocated for the elimination of these costs.

According to supporters of the proposal, the problem is that some women may not be able to meet their deductible even if they have insurance. Deductibles can vary, but they often exceed $1,000. The cost of an abortion depends on various factors such as whether it is induced by medication or a surgical procedure. Planned Parenthood estimates that a medication abortion can cost between $600 and $800, while a surgical procedure can cost up to $2,000.

Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, a Planned Parenthood Action of New Jersey executive, stated that they do not want individuals to have to choose between buying food or receiving necessary care. This organization is in favor of the proposed legislation.

The governor, who is in his second term, is advocating for this legislation as his party has gained a larger majority in the Legislature. This is happening during a presidential election year, when Democrats are counting on the topic of abortion to support their candidates across the country. It also aligns with ongoing efforts to increase access to abortion services in the state, as Democratic leaders try to minimize the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The state of New Jersey has officially established abortion as a legal right, allocated more resources towards abortion services, and mandated that regulated health insurance plans include coverage for the procedure.

Murphy recently expressed to lawmakers that New Jersey is committed to providing a safe haven for reproductive freedom and is urging them to take further action to safeguard reproductive rights.

Although the Democrats hold complete authority over the state government, it is uncertain what the future holds for the bill. The legislative session has just commenced and legislators will soon focus on the state budget. While the heads of both chambers support abortion rights, it is unclear how much implementing the law will cost, how it will be financed, and if it could potentially lead to an increase in insurance rates.

In 2022, California removed insurance fees, such as co-payments and deductibles. It was predicted that this action would lead to a rise in insurance premiums.

Teresa Ruiz, the majority leader of the New Jersey Senate, expressed strong support for increasing availability of abortion services. She also brought up a practical consideration, noting that this measure is likely to be addressed within the larger context of budget discussions.

According to Ruiz, my 7-year-old daughter has fewer rights over her own body in this nation compared to what my mother had during her entire life.

The governor’s proposal was met with skepticism by Republican lawmakers. John DiMaio, the Assembly Minority Leader, stated that their party is prioritizing issues that directly impact all residents, while GOP state Sen. Declan O’Scanlon dismissed it as a distraction since the law already safeguards abortion in the state.

Ericksen shared that her journey towards sobriety was a gradual and challenging one. She expressed her hope for lawmakers to not only consider the monetary implications of eliminating out-of-pocket fees, but also how it could benefit society as a whole.

According to her, assisting marginalized communities benefits our entire state.