El Paso’s only abortion fund service returns after 4-year hiatus
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — West Fund, a non-profit that helps Texans pay and arrange out-of-state healthcare procedures, reopened its doors this month. The organization is the only abortion fund in El Paso, and it paused operations for four years.
West Fund paused its financial and logistical assistance operations to protect staff, volunteers and clients as legal uncertainties mounted over out-of-state travel support.
During that pause, residents in the El Paso region seeking out-of-state care had to navigate transportation, lodging and medical costs entirely out-of-pocket or rely on broader statewide funds.
While abortion services remain banned in Texas, neighboring states, including nearby clinics in New Mexico, continue to offer legal care.
However, the physical proximity of neighboring facilities does not eliminate the financial hurdles for local families, such as gas, time off work, childcare or travel expenses.
West Fund’s reopening means low-income El Pasoans will once again have access to direct financial relief, travel coordination and bilingual guidance
Under the U.S. Constitution, states generally cannot criminalize actions that residents take outside their borders where those actions are legal.
West Fund does not facilitate abortions within Texas. Rather, it supports individuals traveling to states where reproductive healthcare is legal.
Providing information and financial relief for out-of-state travel falls under protected speech and logistical assistance.
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