All women, but especially low-income women, have been the focus of legislative attempts to limit access to abortion. Iowa women on Medicaid can't receive public assistance for abortions unless for an immediately life threatening condition. No help is available for women with serious medical or mental health problems, for women who are homeless, for young girls trying to finish school, for families who can't afford another child, or for women who are victims of abuse, rape, or incest.
Every year, IMAF provides loans to hundreds of Iowa women who have made the difficult decision to have an abortion. They represent all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Some are married, some are single. Their ages range from 11 to 45. Their situations are desperate.
IMAF receives foundation funding for the Quad Cities area, but raises funds for the remainder of the state. Founded in 1978 as the Cedar Rapids Medical Aid Fund, IMAF relies largely on supporters in east central Iowa, although it provides interest-free loans to women throughout the state. Twenty eight percent of loan requests come from central Iowa. In 2006, IMAF was forced to refuse requests for over three months because of funding shortfalls. Please consider a contribution and please ask others who support reproductive rights to help. See our How You Can Help page for more information.
� 2007 Iowa Medical Aid Fund, all rights reserved.
