What can you do about access to abortion?

Well these groups, Emergency Medical Assistance, Yes On 4, and Florida Access Network are ready to educate and inform you at a panel discussion Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to noon.

The event is free to attend and will take place at Community Foundation, 700 South Dixie Highway #200 West Palm Beach. Register at eventbrite.com.

Emergency Medical Assistance Abortion Fund is the only abortion fund in Palm Beach County that assists with financial hardships to accessing an abortion.

“What we do is we work with independent abortion providers, not Planned Parenthood, and so if someone knows that they're pregnant under six weeks, and they can't afford their abortion, we help pay towards their abortion cost to stay local,” said Jessica Hatem, EMA Executive Director.

Access to abortion is on the ballot this November. If passed, Amendment 4 would move the line in the sand on abortion to viability, which is usually considered 22 to 24 weeks. There is a 60% threshold in Florida to pass amendments. Regardless of the outcome, the groups mentioned above will help people with abortion access.

Most individuals are unaware they're pregnant at six weeks, which means many have to travel out of state for abortion services. The organization provides what is known as practical support, covering expenses such as flights, hotels, ride-shares, and food assistance to facilitate their travel. They also contribute to the procedure costs in the destination state and offer logistical guidance, focusing primarily on supporting those with low or no income.

Hatem encourages those pregnant past the six-week mark to reach out via their website for assistance.

Another is Floridians Protecting Freedom, which worked on the Yes on 4 campaign.

Diamond Delancy works as the organizing director for Planned Parenthood of Southeast and North Florida, and has been working on the campaign completely since May as the deputy organizing director. She stressed the impact of the six-week limit on students.

She emphasized that resources are really important because of Florida’s near-total abortion ban, which cuts off access after just six weeks, when some people do not know they are pregnant by. On top of that, the mandatory 24-hour waiting period adds even more hurdles, making it tough for students who are juggling school and work.

“It's six weeks,” Delancy said. “That's 6.0. Not six weeks and a day, not six weeks and two days.”

Florida Access Network will also be represented.