CT jumps into issue that divides nation. The money is overseen by a state official

Hartford Courant – Friday, June 26, 2026
By Kaitlin McCallum

A grant fund overseen by the Connecticut state treasurer that will provide travel and related expenses for out-of-state patients seeking abortion and gender-affirming care has received its initial donation.

“What this fund is ultimately used for is individuals who are in anti-choice or anti-gender-affirming care states — these resources can be used to help them travel to Connecticut to receive the safe and compassionate care that they deserve,” said Connecticut Treasurer Erick Russell Thursday at a press conference announcing the fund’s launch.

The Safe Harbor Fund, created by the state legislature in 2025, was initiated by Russell and is funded by private donations. Connecticut is the first state to launch such a fund but Russell said he has been working with treasurers in several other states to eventually form a kind of network to meet patients’ needs.

Grants will go to existing organizations that already provide access to reproductive and gender-affirming care by providing funding for travel, lodging, child care and other expenses.

Patients in need could include residents of other states who travel to Connecticut for reproductive or gender care that are banned where they live or Connecticut residents like college students who are away from home, Russell said.

“The goal here is that we’re going to do whatever we can to continue to be a state that prioritizes access to health care until we ultimately have a Congress and a federal government that assures that right for everyone,” Russell said, noting those impacted by restrictions on care are typically “the most vulnerable in our community.”

Gretchen Raffa, of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said the fund will allow access to “essential lifesaving and life-affirming care.”

“Here in Connecticut we have a long proud history of bipartisan support for protecting and expanding reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and we’re not going to stop until we make sure that everyone can access legally protected healthcare in our state,” Raffa said.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz recounted Connecticut’s “firsts,” including recognizing same-sex marriage following a Connecticut Supreme Court case and in 2022, passage of the Shield Law, which protects patients and doctors from out-of-state investigations and prosecution for providing reproductive or gender-affirming care.

House Republican leader Vincent Candelora, in a statement after the press conference, suggested it was a publicity event timed to impact the upcoming primary and that officials should focus on Connecticut residents.

“There’s a reason other states don’t have their own abortion tourism funds: they’re focused on taking care of residents in their own states,” Candelora said. “Connecticut citizens would be a lot better off if the Governor and Democrats put as much time into reducing healthcare costs or fixing our broken education funding system as they did on this political cause.”

The initial donation of $25,000 comes from the Leonard-Litz Foundation, which funds organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community. The donation comes as the fund’s cofounder, Elliot Leonard, died June 6.

“His life’s work was rooted in a single, unwavering belief: that every LGBTQ+ person deserves to live openly, safely, and with dignity,” the foundation’s site says.

Russell acknowledged that the fund might draw scrutiny from President Donald Trump’s administration.

“I think what we’ve shown in Connecticut is we are committed to making sure that individuals have access to care that they deserve,” he said. “And if what that means is that we become a target, then I think that that’s expected. Just like everything else we’ve done in this state, we’re not going to fold under pressure, we’re not going to walk away from our values as a state …”

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