Perspective
In a collaborative effort, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and the organization, Reproductive Equity Now (REN), have launched a free and confidential legal hotline to assist patients, providers and helpers with questions about accessing or offering abortion care in the state.
The hotline, 833-309-6301, was created in response to what advocates describe as an increasingly uncertain national landscape for abortion rights following the election. Rebecca Hart Holder, president of REN, said the hotline aims to address pressing legal concerns such as, “I’m an abortion provider helping a patient traveling from out-of-state—how do I protect the patient? And how do I protect myself?”
Tong emphasized the collective responsibility to protect access to reproductive care. “It’s our fight. It’s our shared responsibility. We are in it together. It’s not somebody else’s problem,” he said at the launch.
The hotline is designed to be a critical resource for patients both within and outside Connecticut, particularly as the state sees a sharp increase in demand for abortion services. According to Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Connecticut has experienced a 150% surge in patients traveling from out of state for care.
“For many of our patients, the barriers to accessing care are real and significant. Some travel long distances, face financial and social challenges, or worry about legal restrictions on their care,” said Eleanor Faraguna, a patient care specialist at the Hartford GYN Center.
This hotline builds on the success of a similar initiative in Massachusetts, also run by Reproductive Equity Now,
which has received 150 calls in 18 months. Unlike a government-run line, this partnership model provides state support while maintaining a sense of independence to help alleviate fears surrounding government involvement.
Not everyone supports the initiative. Right to Life organizations have voiced opposition, framing the hotline as unnecessary and out of touch with voter priorities. The Family Institute of Connecticut Action criticized the initiative and said “Attorney General Tong’s abortion hotline is ‘Exhibit A’ for why President Trump is returning to power. Voters are concerned about grocery bills and rising crime, not some nonexistent threat to abortion.” The Connecticut Catholic Conference added that Tong’s actions contribute to a “culture of death” in the state rather than promoting life.
Despite the criticism, abortion remains legal in all six New England states, including Connecticut. Advocates for the hotline see it as a proactive and essential measure to support both patients and providers, ensuring access to reproductive care during a time of national uncertainty.
The hotline replaces a previous state-run resource established in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. That initiative was ultimately discontinued due to lack of awareness. Attorney General Tong hopes this collaboration with Reproductive Equity Now will have a broader reach and greater impact.
The Connecticut abortion legal hotline highlights the importance of state-based solutions in safeguarding access to care.
