History of the Initiative

2007

The Second Trimester Abortion Initiative was launched to promote a strategic vision for securing access to and provision of second-trimester abortion care in the United States. The initiative began with a literature review, collecting original data, and collaborating with a diverse group of colleagues to develop strategic recommendations for securing access to second-trimester abortion. These findings and recommendations were presented at several conferences including those of the American Public Health Association, the National Abortion Federation, the National Network of Abortion Funds, the Consortium of Abortion Providers, and the Training and Access Working Group, as well as Reproductive Health 2008.

2008

In September 2008, ANSIRH hosted a national Summit on Securing Access to and Provision of Second Trimester Abortion. Summit participants included 45 experts and leaders from a diverse group of organizations. In preparation for the summit, ANSIRH produced a white paper summarizing what we know and don’t know about this issue. At the summit, participants reviewed the white paper and refined a set of recommendations for securing access to second-trimester abortion in the US. The Second Trimester Abortion Access Network (STAAN), under the leadership of Ibis Reproductive Health, was formed to promote these recommendations.

2009

After the tragic murder of Dr. George Tiller in 2009, the scope of the Initiative at ANSIRH was expanded to include both second-trimester abortions and abortions after the second trimester.

2010

Ibis expanded the scope of STAAN and changed the Network name to The Later Abortion Network (LAN).

2015

Building on previous work by colleagues around the country and in collaboration with other organizations, LAI was launched by Ibis Reproductive Health to develop an ambitious agenda to preserve access to high-quality later abortion care and promote legislative and service delivery advances to improve pregnant people's access to care and to change the conversation around later abortion and the clients who need this service.