The narrow defeat of a proposal to expand abortion rights in Florida is encouraging some people to donate money to groups that support abortion rights, including funds that help people pay for abortion care.

Tampa Bay Abortion Fund About 100 people donated more than $20,000 in the first few days after Tuesday’s election, according to case management director Bree Wallace.

Just over 57 percent of voters approved Amendment 4, which allows abortions until the viability of the fetus (usually around the 24th week of pregnancy) or after that if the patient’s healthcare provider deems it necessary. However the measure failed Because, unlike most states, Florida requires 60% of the votes to pass constitutional amendments.

This means a six-week abortion ban with limited exceptions remains in effect.

“People are going crazy, and when you get mad, you donate, you go out in your community, you organize, you fundraise, and I think that’s what people are doing right now,” Wallace said.

For Wallace and the abortion fund staff, the election night news was devastating, but it didn’t change their mission.

“We all let out some good screams and got back to what we were doing,” Wallace said.

Abortion funds help cover appointment and travel costs for people needing abortions. Groups in Florida pay for women who are not yet six weeks pregnant to receive care in the state. Funds assist those who cross this border traveling out of state to have an abortion, which can be really expensive.

Stephanie Colombini

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WUSF

The Tampa Bay Abortion Fund has helped 150 people travel out of state for care since the six-week ban went into effect in May. This is three times the figure in the first four months of this year, when the 15-week ban was in force.

Demand for out-of-state travel support has also increased costs Emergency Medical AssistanceAn abortion fund based in Palm Beach County. The group is set to spend $550,000 this year, up from $320,000 last year, according to executive director Jessica Hatem.

“The cost of this is huge to be able to support people. This is huge and I think people are realizing that, but at the same time the needs and conditions are going to get worse,” Hatem said.

Hatem said the increased spending was also due in part to a national partner’s decision to cut funding for patient support this year. allocated from local funds with more costs to cover.

Emergency Medical Assistance also received more money after the election, but Hatem said at least so far it’s supposedly “not that big of an increase.”wrathfulRoe v. As funds across the country saw after the Wade case was overturned.

These donations dried up as people turned to other issues. Wallace said any increase in funding is great, but he would prefer to see continued support.

“We could stick to (the six-week abortion ban) for two, four or more years, depending on what we can do about it. So I think it’s really just trying to get the donations to come in no matter what, even if it’s not headline news,” Wallace said.

Courtesy of Jessica Hatem

Opponents of Amendment 4 celebrate the amendment’s defeat with residents in rural areas There are large numbers of “no” votes in central and northwest Florida. While some advocate for a six-week abortion ban, other abortion opponents are calling for more restrictions.

“The only realistic way for Florida to achieve a complete ban on abortion is for the Legislature to provide full legal protections for unborn children from the moment they are conceived,” said Executive Director Andrew Shirvell. Florida Voice for the UnbornHe said in a statement on Tuesday night.

Advocates on both sides of the issue say they will continue the fight over abortion rights into the next legislative session, which begins in March.

But when it comes to abortion funding, Hatem said community outreach is a higher priority, both in terms of fundraising and other efforts. In addition to paying for abortion care, staff and volunteers distribute preventive and emergency contraceptive supplies in the areas they serve and provide reproductive health information to residents.

Accelerating these initiatives in the new year will be critical to building long-term support, he said.

“As long as we can still get our message out and show it back to our communities, those are wins for us,” Hatem said.

You can find an abortion fund to serve your community on this website.