A statewide alliance expands equitable access to contraception and information
The New Morning Foundation is a bright light that continues to shine for women who want to plan for families on their terms.
“Our approach is community-driven and patient-centered,” said President and CEO Bonnie Kapp. “We train and support a statewide alliance of more than 100 nonprofit health care partners that provide individuals with information and access to birth control methods, which we subsidize for patients that are low-income and uninsured.”
“I will never forget, back when we first started, we didn’t have a patient advocate,” said Kapp. “Occasionally, calls were transferred to me; it was an enriching experience. One young woman had three children under the age of 6. She was in a committed relationship and wanted to go back to school.”
New Morning helped the woman secure birth control, which enabled her to fulfill her dream; she enrolled at South Carolina State University to earn an accounting degree.
“‘I love my children,’” Kapp recalled the woman telling her. “‘This has helped me live my dream, for me and for my children.’ That is New Morning’s impact.”
From January to December 2024, New Morning provided more than $3.4 million in subsidized birth control for South Carolinians, a significant increase over years past, according to the New Morning 2024 Impact Report.
Since the launch of its statewide birth control access program in 2017, unwanted births have decreased by 58% and more than 125 partner clinics have provided contraceptive services to more than 565,000 women, the report noted. And New Morning’s contraceptive access program has helped achieve the state’s lowest unintended pregnancy rate in the past 20 years: from nearly 50% to 37%.
“I grew up in a household where birth control was only linked to sex,” said Bailey, a New Morning client who requested the use of her first name only. “Birth control also helps with cramp regulation, blood regulation and pain control [during periods]. I needed to deal with pain.”
New Morning brought Bailey a sigh of relief. “I can finally breathe again, and I can help myself,” she said. “Birth control is not a hushed topic; it is health care.”
The Foundation’s NoDrama.org has become a trusted resource for Bailey and literally millions of website visitors “by providing medically accurate information about family planning,” Kapp said.
“I was between insurance when I decided to get birth control again,” said Nicole. “I was at a loss for what I was going to do. I was used to going to a primary care provider who knew me. With No Drama, there was still no disconnect. I felt like the provider got to know me and the best birth control options for me.”
Access to information and prevention breaks down health care barriers in South Carolina such as higher poverty, uninsured persons and rural populations with little to no health care provider access, Kapp and others noted.
“South Carolina has been very lucky in terms of getting funding from outside the state for New Morning’s 22 years of existence,” Kapp said. “Within the state and beyond, supporters know we have impressive data that confirms our positive impact. Still, securing grants and funding is becoming increasingly difficult.”
“I give because I know every dollar helps break down barriers for women who otherwise wouldn’t have access to care,” said Mount Pleasant resident Youmna Squalli. “I believe every woman deserves the same access to health care, no matter where she lives or what she earns.”
“It is important that women talk to each other about birth control,” Nicole said. “It should not be a taboo topic; it affects so many of us. Knowledge is wealth. If we can share good resources like No Drama for easily accessible birth control, then we should all be doing that.”
To learn more or to donate: newmorning.org
By Lisa Breslin
