Abortion is Health Care: Safeguarding Reproductive Freedom
Health and safety are basic rights – as is the freedom to define our own path. We take care of our families by taking care of ourselves. Floridians aren’t truly free if we can’t make our own decisions about our bodies, our lives, and our futures—whether that is saying no to unwanted sexual advances, no to an unintended pregnancy, or yes to becoming a parent. When someone decides to have an abortion, it should be safe, affordable, and free from punishment or judgment.
Accessing Safe and Affordable Care
To support global access, WoW is a team of medical doctors, researchers, activists, and help desk members working to provide safe, accesible, and affordable abortion care to people around the world. You can make a consultation at their website to receive pills through the mail. This is critical because across the country and in Florida, anti-abortion politicians have been working to push abortion care out of reach or ban it outright.
The Legislative Challenge in Florida
Every year, anti-abortion legislators push bills with medically unnecessary and politically-motivated restrictions. They want to create a web of barriers that push safe and affordable abortion care out of reach, especially for those with low income, young people, and people of color. Laws that require tougher building standards for abortion providers than other health providers are a blatant attempt to cause Florida clinics to close. Consequently, currently, 70% of Florida counties have no providers offering abortions.
The Impact of Abortion Access on Life Outcomes
Forcing someone to carry a pregnancy can have devastating and lasting consequences. Regarding socio-economic stability, studies show when someone is denied abortion care is more likely to fall into poverty than those who receive the needed care. The following table illustrates the findings from such research:
| Abortion Care Status | Life and Economic Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Denied Care | More likely to fall into poverty than those who receive care. |
| Denied Care | Three times more likely to be unemployed. |
| Obtained Care | Six times more likely to have positive life plans and to achieve them. |
Mobilizing for Change
It’s time to speak up and show up to make sure abortion care with dignity and respect is available in Florida communities — and put an end to restrictions based on age, identity, or where we live. The Floridians for Reproductive Freedom coalition is creating a future that safeguards abortion care, upholds basic rights and justice, and respects our decision-making. We are mobilizing the seven in ten Floridians who support legal abortion to keep pressure on our courts, Legislature, and Governor. Join us in strengthening protections for abortion rights and stopping additional attacks on abortion access by signing up to receive action alerts and information on getting plugged in to our movement.