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

THE Tampa Bay Abortion Fund received more than $20,000 in the first two days after Tuesday’s election, with about 100 people donating, according to Bree Wallace, director of case management.

Just over 57% of voters approved Amendment 4, which would have allowed abortions until fetal viability – usually about 24 weeks into the pregnancy – or after that if the health care provider of the patient deemed it necessary. But the measurement failed because unlike most states, Florida requires 60% of the vote for constitutional amendments to pass.

This means a ban on abortion for six weeks with limited exceptions remains in force.

“People are angry, and when you’re angry, you donate, you mobilize in your community, you organize, you raise money, and I think that’s what people are doing right now “Wallace said.

For Wallace and his abortion fund colleagues, the election night news was devastating, but it did not change their mission.

“We all got a good shout out and went right back to the work we were doing,” Wallace said.

Abortion funds help cover appointment and travel costs for people needing an abortion. Groups in Florida pay for women to receive care in the state if they are not yet six weeks pregnant. For those who have passed this milestone, the funds help them travel out of state to have an abortion, which can be very expensive.

Stephanie Colombini

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WUSF

The Tampa Bay Abortion Fund has helped 150 people travel out of state for treatment since the six-week ban took effect in May. That’s three times more than in the first four months of this year, when a 15-week ban was in effect.

The demand for out-of-state travel assistance has also increased costs for Emergency medical assistancean abortion fund based in Palm Beach County. The group is on track to spend $550,000 this year, up from $320,000 last year, according to executive director Jessica Hatem.

“The money it costs to be able to support people is enormous. It’s huge, and I think people realize that, but at the same time the needs and the circumstances are only going to get worse,” Hatem said.

The increase in spending is also partly due to a national partner’s decision to cut funding for patient support this year, which Hatem said. leaves local funds with more costs to cover.

Emergency medical assistance also saw more money coming in after the election, although Hatem said that at least so far it was not as big an increase in what the we call “give rage» as funds across the country saw after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

These donations died out as people turned to other problems. Any increase in funding is a good thing, Wallace said, but she would prefer lasting support.

“We could be facing (a six-week abortion ban) for another two, four or more years, depending on what we can do about it.” So I think it’s just about trying to make sure the donations come in no matter what, even if it doesn’t make the headlines,” Wallace said.

Courtesy of Jessica Hatem

Opponents of Amendment 4 celebrate defeat, along with residents in rural areas from central and northwest Florida, accounting for a large number of “no” votes. While some advocate banning abortion for six weeks, other abortion opponents are calling for even more restrictions.

“The only realistic way to ensure that Florida becomes completely abortion-free is for the legislature to enact comprehensive legal protections for unborn children, from the moment of conception,” said Andrew Shirvell, executive director of Florida Voice for the Unbornsaid in a statement Tuesday evening.

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

But for abortion funds, Hatem said community outreach is more of a priority, both for fundraising and other efforts. In addition to funding abortion care, staff and volunteers distribute preventive and emergency contraception materials in the areas they serve and provide residents with reproductive health information.

Scaling up these initiatives in the new year will be key to building long-term support, she said.

“As long as we can still get our message out and re-introduce ourselves to our communities, those are wins for us,” Hatem said.

You can find an abortion fund that serves your community on this site.

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