Finding the support and resources to access hospital-based abortion care can be challenging for many patients. Rush University Medical Center, UI Health, Northwestern Medicine, the University of Chicago Medicine, and the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) have partnered together to provide the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access (CARLA) – a provider referral center that helps patients seeking complex abortion care at hospitals in Illinois.

CARLA's goals are to::

• Reduce barriers to care for patients needing complex abortion care

• Improve access and lessen disparities in accessing abortion care at hospitals

• Support free-standing clinics with hospital referrals

• Improve efficiency and reduce delay for medically urgent referrals

How it works

CARLA provides the support and coordination needed to ensure that patients who need a hospital-based abortion receive safe and compassionate care in a timely manner. Once a patient is referred to CARLA by a clinic or healthcare provider, a CARLA nurse and abortion fund staff work together to support each patient in:

• Completing a medical intake 

• Scheduling an appointment with a partner hospital

• Connecting to procedure funding and other logistical and practical support as needed (including transportation, lodging, and childcare)