37, Nurse, Mother of 3
Pullman, WA
Jamie lives outside Pullman, Washington in Spring Valley. She works as a nurse at a Spokane hospital, one of the only healthcare facilities within a two hour drive to her home.
After receiving a positive pregnancy test, she asks an obstetric gynecologist (OBGYN) from the hospital to confirm the pregnancy with a blood test. Jamie is nine weeks pregnant.
The OBGYN informs Jamie that their hospital doesn’t allow abortions and has strict internal policies against referring patients to abortion clinics.
To make matters worse, her health insurance, which is administered through the hospital, will not cover the cost of an abortion.
A trusted colleague tells Jamie about a program from the WA Department of Health (DOH) that will cover the cost of the appointment if she receives care at a site contracted with the DOH.
Jamie researches the Planned Parenthood Pullman clinic and verifies they have a DOH contract. Her abortion can be reimbursed through the DOH’s Increasing Access to Reproductive Choice program.
The soonest appointment is two weeks away when Jamie is 11 weeks pregnant. She’ll have to have a procedural abortion, and it’s more invasive than she was planning.
Jamie’s colleague promises to help cover her shifts during her aftercare. But after all Jamie’s planning and preparation, she realizes abortion care isn’t just the procedure. She’ll have to navigate transportation, finances, childcare and more.
Resources for Jamie
The WA Department of Health – Increasing Access to Reproductive Choice program pays for abortion services for people with Providence Health Plans that originate in Washington state.
Patients have financial responsibility for their abortion care unless and until their provider submits the department-approved claim form for that care.
See which providers have contracts with the Department of Health (DOH) prior to receiving care.
If you receive care from a provider who doesn’t have a contract with the DOH, share the webpage above with the clinic and ask them to file a claim.
Some hospitals may have internal policies that restrict them from providing abortions. You can check if your hospital has an Ethical and Religious Directive (ERD) or other policy that restricts them from providing certain reproductive health services.
You can also find a clinic near you by visiting abortionfinder.org. Here you can find verified abortion care providers and support on a state-by-state basis.
