Access Bridge
Transforming Addiction Treatment Through 24/7 Access in Emergency Departments
Support the implementation of Access Bridge pilot programs.
To help with your drug use.
Support the implementation of Access Bridge pilot programs.
To help with your drug use.
Access Bridge is a novel program that improves access to evidence-based reproductive health services and increases health equity by building the capacity of America’s emergency departments (EDs) to serve as reproductive health safety nets.
Despite well-intentioned efforts to reduce the utilization of the ED, the reality is that for many people, the ED is their only source of health care. Many patients go to the ED for prenatal care, sexually transmitted infections, or sexual assault.
To meet these challenges, ED providers need tools and support, especially in environments where OB/GYNs are in increasingly short supply. Currently, contraception is not consistently available in EDs, and many patients seeking help for pregnancy emergencies may not receive treatment until their condition becomes critical.
The ED is open 24/7, available in most communities, and staffed by clinicians trained to manage multiple specialties. Fortunately, many sexual and reproductive health needs can be met quickly and easily in EDs. In light of the alarming restrictions on reproductive rights, healthcare providers have a moral imperative to make legal reproductive health services widely available. By strengthening care provided in emergency departments, we can make a critical difference in ensuring access to care in states with abortion bans.
Today, over 19 million women live in contraception deserts. For decades, lower-income patients and patients of color have struggled to access birth control and abortion, especially in states facing primary care and OB-GYN provider shortages. Legal ambiguities around abortion means that patients are not always receiving the necessary treatment for common pregnancy emergencies such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Trained providers are increasingly leaving these states due to fears of prosecution.Â
Not only is this an assault on the rights of women and pregnant people, but it is also a racial justice issue. Patients of color have less access to every category of reproductive healthcare and are affected disproportionately by new bans and shortages. Black patients access contraception at lower rates than white patients and experience more than double the rate of unintended pregnancies and four times the rate of maternal mortality compared to white patients. Urgent action is needed to ensure that all patients have access to essential medical services in the ED setting.
To support this effort, Access Bridge developed easy-to-read algorithms and resources covering miscarriage, contraception and emergency contraception, ectopic pregnancy and medication abortion, along with template decks for physicians to educate their peers. These materials were successfully piloted in 19 hospitals in 13 states, proving our program’s effectiveness in states with expansive and restrictive policies.
We are proud to introduce an innovative program aimed at advancing reproductive healthcare access within America’s emergency departments (EDs). We are actively seeking passionate ED clinical champions to join us in expanding our impact efforts to reach every patient in every state. If you are an ED physician eager to implement our protocols in your department, we invite you to apply for our Fellowship Program.
The Access Bridge fellowship provides fellows with training, individual coaching, and collaboration with national professional associations. Access Bridge fellows will have the support of Access Bridge implementation leaders, content experts, and mentors to lead as change makers, contributing to Access Bridge protocols, research projects, and working on educational products to disseminate this critical work on a national level. Some funding is available for this opportunity.
The application deadline for the 2026-2027 fellowship cohort has been extended to September 18, 2026, at 11:59 PMT.
The Access Bridge fellowship provides fellows with training, individual coaching, and collaboration with national professional associations. Access Bridge fellows will have the support of Access Bridge implementation leaders, content experts, and mentors to lead as change makers, contributing to Access Bridge protocols, research projects, and working on educational products to disseminate this critical work on a national level. Some funding is available for this opportunity.
The application deadline for the 2026-2027 fellowship cohort has been extended to September 18, 2026, at 11:59 PMT.
Access Bridge resources are reviewed and updated regularly to incorporate recent research and reflect the current policy landscape.
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