SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – In July after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, KCBS Radio broke the story about a plan for a floating clinic that would sail off the Gulf of Mexico, designed to provide reproductive health services for women from states where abortion is now banned or extremely restricted.
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The wheels have been in motion since, and plans for the vessel are underway. The intention of the facility is to serve women close to states where abortion procedures are restricted or banned, like in Texas or Arkansas.
Nothing has set sail just yet, but the hope is that the ship will help women underserved already in healthcare.
"We know poor and minority patients are most affected by the bans," said Dr. Meg Autry, an OB/GYN at UCSF.
Autry came up with the idea in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
"We just still think despite being an innovative and creative and quirky option – that it’s an important option for individuals in these southern states," she said.
"We hope we can get it sailing, if you will," she said.
According to Autry, a recent UC research survey found a majority of respondents were willing to get on board if that was their best option.
"Up to 80% of people that were surveyed said they would choose a boat as an option if that was the only choice available," she said.
There’s no boat yet, but a name has been selected – "The Prowess." Fundraising is still underway, according to Autry. And it can’t come a moment too soon.
"There are still poor people in these southern states that border the gulf that need a close option for surgical abortion," said Autry.
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