Massachusetts abortion project sees record demand after Supreme Court ruling

The Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project (MAP) has seen a sharp rise in demand since the Supreme Court’s recent stay on abortion restrictions. Founded in September 2023 by Dr Angel Foster, the organisation has already helped around 50,000 patients in just 2.5 years. Most of these patients live in states with strict abortion bans or heavy first-trimester restrictions. Dr Foster, who holds both an MD and a PhD, set up the MAP to provide medication abortions across all 50 states. The service uses mifepristone and misoprostol where legally permitted, or misoprostol alone in restricted areas. About 95% of its patients come from states with near-total abortion bans.

Demand has surged since the Supreme Court’s decision, with requests doubling in a short time. On Tuesday alone, the MAP sent out 50 packages of advance medication—far more than the usual 1% of patients who receive pills for future use. Patients have shared their relief at accessing the service. A 22-year-old from Florida called the MAP’s support ‘life-saving’. Another patient, a 36-year-old domestic violence survivor from South Carolina, sought the medication to prevent pregnancy by her abuser. Dr Foster has avoided visiting her own family in South Carolina for over 2.5 years, fearing legal risks under the state’s abortion ban. She has also criticised judicial interference in medical and scientific decisions.

The MAP will keep offering care nationwide, adapting to legal changes as needed. With most patients in heavily restricted states, the organisation’s role has grown even more critical. The recent spike in demand shows how many rely on its services for safe, discreet access to abortion medication.