Florida abortion law changes, and doctors are taking extra measures to help prevent further abortions in the era of increased travel and more abortions, according to the Agency for Health Care Administration
Despite the 15-week ban, out-of-state residents increased the number of abortions in Florida. Nearly 8,000 people traveled to the state last year for abortions, according to data from the state Agency for Health Care Administration. That’s nearly 10% of all patients.
Florida is no longer an option for the rest of the region. North Carolina allows abortions until 12 weeks of pregnancy, but has a 72-hour mandatory waiting period with in-person requirements, so it isn’t always a viable alternative.
In the state, abortion care providers are doing abortions earlier and have extended their hours to accommodate as many patients as possible.
“We want to be able to help everyone with information in order to access care as quickly as possible,” says Barbara Zdravecky, interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.
Zdravecky says the center is ramping up support staff in order to respond to patients’ concerns and help them navigate their options.
Interaction of a Crisis Pregnancy Center on the Status of Abortion Laws in Florida, and Implications for a Growing Population in America
Adding to scheduling challenges are Florida’s 24-hour mandatory waiting period and a ban on using telemedicine for abortions. Patients must attend at least two in-person appointments, one for a consultation and the other for the procedure at least one day later.
Instead, people who get abortions are being told to travel to places like Virginia, Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clinics with access to abortion will become more difficult to accommodate, if they can’t cope with the patients.
“We’re estimating about 90% of our callers are going to need to go out-of-state and that we’ll have a large increase in callers because this is going to be a whole new cost for people seeking abortions,” says McKenna Kelley, a volunteer board member with the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund.
Abortion funds can help pregnant people cover the cost of abortion procedures and relieve some of the logistical challenges associated with seeking care. But paying for flights, hotel stays and other expenses associated with long-distance travel is much more challenging than giving someone a ride to a nearby clinic.
Kelley calls the backlash from supporters “rage donations” but abortion funds say that Florida’s recent ban hasn’t been met with the same response. It’s feared that they will never be able to help everyone in need, but funds are working together to form a stronger support network around the country.
“Our position is we need to protect unborn children, we need to celebrate life, protect life, that’s the chief role of government,” says John Stemberger, president of Liberty Counsel Action, a religious liberty organization that supports abortion bans.
A group briefed nearly 200 crisis pregnancy centers about the law and how to prepare for possible increased demand for services.
Faith-based organizations usually run these centers. They encourage pregnant women not to get abortions and to consider parenting or adoption instead. They may offer free baby supplies.
“We really want to appeal to young mothers or even older mothers who are in what we’d consider a crisis pregnancy to basically think differently about the issue,” says Stemberger.
Some crisis pregnancy centers have been known to provide people with misleading or inaccurate medical information. There have also been calls for more oversight.
The abortion fund Florida Access Network’s executive director says a lot of survivors don’t feel comfortable reporting assaults. She feels the requirements are unrealistic and cruel.
“It’s critical that we turn out the vote this fall for people to protect their freedoms. The [state] Supreme Court has basically put this issue in the voters’ hands,” says Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Democrat.
President Joe Biden made abortion the focus of a visit to Clearwater, Florida, last Monday while Vice President Mr. Harris will speak about it in Jacksonville on Wednesday.
“Prop 4, the abortion lobby’s dream amendment, is extremely misleading,” says Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement following President Biden’s visit to Tampa.
The legal challenge of the effort was based on the wording of the proposal. Attorney General Moody felt it would be confusing to voters. The proposal was clearly stated and reflected the text of the amendment in the Supreme Court’s opinion.
She saysAmendment 4 will be won on the back of people who don’t want to have a baby.