With Florida’s ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy poised to take effect this week, the future of the state’s clinics and abortion funds hangs in uncertainty. Patients may soon find themselves traveling extensive distances to access the procedure.
Clinics and funds in Florida have experienced a surge in inquiries as individuals newly pregnant seek appointments before potentially having to travel as far as Virginia or New York for an abortion. This rush is compounded by the fact that most individuals are unaware of their pregnancy at the six-week mark.
The impact of the new law extends beyond Florida, affecting the broader U.S. South, where 11 other states have already implemented stringent abortion restrictions. Florida had previously served as a haven for individuals seeking abortion from neighboring states following the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, allowing for strict bans to be enforced.
In 2023, approximately 7,700 out-of-state residents sought abortions in Florida, reflecting a nearly 60% increase from two years earlier, according to state data. Now, patients across the region face the prospect of traveling north for abortions, while those unable to afford such trips may find themselves without access to the procedure.
While anti-abortion advocates hail the law as a triumph, abortion rights proponents are banking on a November ballot proposal to safeguard abortion rights in the state.
Abortion funds, which offer financial assistance to needy patients for procedures, childcare, and transportation, are anticipating heightened expenses as in-state patients embark on lengthy journeys for abortions. Independent clinics, often operating with limited staff, fear closure once they are unable to provide most procedures.
Daniela Martins, a board member at Women’s Emergency Network, a Miami-area abortion fund, expresses concern about the increased challenges and costs associated with maintaining support for patients.
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