Reproductive Rights Activist Addresses Marco Dems

The Democratic Women’s Club of Marco Island attracted more than 40 members to its virtual August meeting to hear from Amy Weintraub, reproductive rights program director for Florida Progress, a digital organizing and advocacy group that collaborates with activists around the state. Weintraub, who also chairs the reproductive rights task force for Florida NOW, updated attendees on obstacles faced by healthcare providers and those seeking abortions in the wake of the 15-week abortion ban Florida put in effect July 1 and the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. She urged attendees to amplify via social media and letters to the editor the Democratic Party platform position that “every woman deserves quality healthcare services including safe and legal abortions, regardless of where she lives, how much she earns or what insurance she has,” pointing out that this position reflects the thinking of the majority of Americans and that one in four women seeks abortion care.

Despite the restrictions of the new Florida law, Weintraub said thousands of women are coming over Florida’s borders from states with even more restrictive laws, straining resources already in high demand. Florida’s 24-hour waiting period, put into effect last spring after a years-long court battle, makes abortion care even more difficult and more costly. Although abortion funds have been established around Florida to help patients with expenses, there is no such fund in Southwest Florida, she said. Because Medicaid does not cover abortion, those with low-income face sometimes insurmountable obstacles to care.

Weintraub outlined advocacy work being done by both Florida Progress and the Floridians for Reproductive Freedom coalition. This includes outreach to those under 18 who cannot involve a parent, explaining how to secure judicial bypasses, and education around medication abortion. She urged members to visit plancpills.org to learn more. 

Weintraub also sounded an alarm about entities that operate under the guise of being “crisis pregnancy centers” but which are established to persuade those who are pregnant against having an abortion, using a variety of tactics. Four million dollars in taxpayer money goes to such entities annually as part of the State budget. There are over 200 of these facilities in Florida. Those in Collier County are under the guise of pregnancy clinics, pregnancy resource centers and even a women’s clinic.

For more information on meetings, membership or supporting our charitable efforts go to dwcmarco.org or contact us at info@dwcmarco.org.