Connecticut launches abortion hotline billboard campaign
Connecticut launches $250,000 billboard campaign promoting state abortion hotline along I-95 and Merritt Parkway, first public advertising for reproductive services.
The billboards, appearing along major highways including I-95 and the Merritt Parkway, display the message “Safe, Legal, Here” alongside a phone number connecting callers to trained counselors who provide information about abortion access and funding options.
Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration approved the $250,000 campaign using federal family planning funds, according to the Department of Public Health. The hotline has operated since 2022 but received little public promotion until now.
“Connecticut has always been a safe haven for reproductive rights, and we want people to know help is available,” said Dr. Manisha Juthani, the state’s public health commissioner.
The billboard campaign targets major transportation corridors connecting Connecticut to New York and Massachusetts, areas that see heavy traffic from neighboring states with more restrictive abortion laws.
Republican legislators criticized the use of public funds for the advertising campaign. State Rep. Craig Fishbein of Wallingford called it “an inappropriate use of taxpayer money to promote a political agenda.”
The hotline connects callers to the National Abortion Federation’s resources and provides information about Connecticut’s abortion fund, which helps cover costs for low-income patients. Connecticut law protects abortion access through all stages of pregnancy.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Connecticut has seen a 15% increase in out-of-state patients seeking abortion services, particularly from Texas, Florida and other states with restrictive laws.
The billboard campaign will run through March 2024, with locations including Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Additional digital advertising will appear on social media platforms targeting women ages 18-35 in the tri-state area.
State health officials said they plan to track calls to measure the campaign’s effectiveness and may extend the advertising if federal funding remains available.