A Californian gynecologist is planning to build a floating abortion centre.
Heroic abortion provider Dr. Meg Autry came up with the idea in a bid to avoid the restrictive US abortion policy following the overturning of Roe V Wade.
The floating centre will fall under federal law and would be able to sail around state restrictions on abortion.
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In part, the idea was in part inspired by Meg's upbringing, seeing riverboat casinos as a kid in Mississippi.
If the casinos managed to skirt around state law, why couldn't a floating, safe haven clinic do the same?
"And so I was constantly thinking about, 'What are some innovative and creative ways that we could provide access?'" Meg told Insider.
Still, due to restrictions in the area, her home of Mississippi wasn't an option, so Meg and her team instead planned to set up shop in the Gulf of Mexico, to cater to the southern states hardest hit by the overturning of Roe V Wade.
"This is potentially the quickest, closest options for some of those patients," Meg said of the move.
Still, security is a concern for those onboard, giving and receiving vital healthcare.
"We know how dangerous it is for patients and providers," Autry said, but the team are determined to do their bit to help women with few other options.
The team have been met with 'heartwarming' support as they move ahead with their plan and look to find a suitable vessel to operate on.
The news follows the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe V Wade last month.
On 24 June, the court ruled in favour of the state in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization case, in which the state of Mississippi argued for a new law that would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
This ruling meant that Roe v Wade, a previous ruling that granted millions of women the legal right to abortion in the states, was overturned.
States in North America can now introduce bans on abortion, some implementing new restrictions, while others will reactivate dormant laws that will make fundamental healthcare illegal to access, even in cases where conception has resulted from rape or incest.
This means that potential safe havens like those proposed by Dr Autry will not only provide the right to choose for masses of women, but potentially life-saving care too.
For help, support and advice about abortion, contact the National Abortion Federation on 1-800-772-9100, EST 8am-7pm EST Monday to Friday or EST 8am-4pm EST Saturday to Sunday.
Topics: News, Health, US News, no-article-matching
Shola Lee