The Abortion Bans Keep On Coming
Marisa Falcon with Molly Gaebe as “Anthony Comstock”
Dear friends,
Despite an earthquake, the possibility (and then repeal) of Arizona’s 1864 total ban on abortions, and yet another Supreme Court case about abortion, we made it to May!
Just like in March, I joined many of you on the steps of the Supreme Court on April 24, standing up for abortion access as the Court heard oral arguments in Moyle v. United States. At the center of the case is Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law that requires hospitals that receive Medicare funding to provide necessary “stabilizing treatment” to patients in emergencies, including abortion care. Idaho, which has a total abortion ban, doesn’t want to have to enforce EMTALA under the favorite claim of “state’s rights.”
Inside the courthouse, justices and attorneys had a bleak and harrowing debate about things like to what extent organ-failure was considered putting someone’s life at risk and stating that mental health crises are no justification for an emergency abortion. TL;DR: it doesn’t look good.
If EMTALA is, in fact, struck down, the impact could be catastrophic, with thousands of people being forced to travel out of state, in the middle of a medical crisis, for life-saving abortion care. We’ll have to wait until the Supreme Court issues their ruling, likely in June.
It is an enduring challenge to maintain hope amid the chaos, but that’s part of the work. It’s spring, and spring is a time of renewal and regrowth. Despite the setbacks and the storms that have come before, we are committed to the work, no matter what.
In solidarity,
Marisa Falcon
Executive Director
Partner Spotlight: Florida PSOs 🦩
On May 1, a six-week abortion ban went into effect in Florida, dramatically reshaping the abortion access landscape in the U.S. Now that Florida's draconian ban is in place, the Southeast has become a legal abortion desert, forcing abortion seekers to travel even further to access care. That means that not only will seeking an abortion cost more, but folks will have to travel hundreds, even thousands of miles. Many will need logistical support to do so.
That's why we're lifting up the Florida-based and regional practical support organizations (PSOs) who have the experience and expertise to help make travel and logistics accessible for abortion seekers. They are the folks who are responding in real time to this escalating crisis:
ARC Southeast provides funding and logistical support across the Southeast region.
Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA) Fund serves Palm Beach County in Florida.
Florida Access Network is a state-based fund and practical support organization.
Tampa Bay Abortion Fund offers financial and logistical support to folks in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties in Florida.
Women's Emergency Network serves southeast Florida, including Miami.
Renewing Your Commitment to Abortion Access 🌸
Spring is a time for renewal, a time for change and new growth. It's a time to reinvest in what matters. For us, that means redoubling our commitment to assist and strengthen the PSOs across the country that do the hard, often unseen logistical work of making abortion access possible.
Show up for the practical support workers who show up for abortion seekers. As an added bonus, if you become a recurring donor during the month of May, we'll send you some Apiary merch and goodies as a thank you!