美国国家公共电台 NPR--A floating abortion clinic is in the planning stage, and people are already on board

A floating abortion¹ clinic is in the planning stage, and people are already on board

Transcript²

The Supreme³ Court's reversal of Roe⁴ v. Wade⁵ has made it harder for many pregnant people to access abortion services — at least on land. One California-based doctor and activist⁶ has an idea: Why not offer them at sea?

Dr. Meg Autry, an OB-GYN and professor at the University of California at San Francisco, has been mulling over this question since long before Dobbs decision. She says she was inspired by the casino boats she would see in the Mississippi River while growing up in the south.

As many states tightened⁷ their restrictions⁸ on abortion — and dozens now move to ban it altogether — Autry assembled a legal team to look into whether it might be possible to offer that care by boat. After assessing their options, they're working towards the goal of providing abortion services in federal waters in the Gulf⁹ of Mexico (though not without anticipated legal challenges and safety concerns).

Autry created and runs the nonprofit PRROWESS, whose acronym¹⁰ stands for Protecting Reproductive Rights of Women Endangered by State Statutes¹¹. She says their planning was years in the making, since they anticipated the Supreme Court might issue such a ruling and wanted to be ready to go public as soon as that happened.

PRROWESS is now fundraising to buy and retrofit a boat that can serve as a floating health clinic. The group hopes the clinic will offer all sorts of reproductive health and wellness services, including contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and surgical¹² abortions¹³ up to 14 weeks.

But making that clinic a reality will take time, raise questions and involve risks. Autry says it's worth it — after all, as she tells Morning Edition's Rachel Martin, this is her life's work.

"It's just not OK for people to not have bodily autonomy," she says. "And the people in these states that are losing their rights are poor people and people of color and marginalized communities ... People are stepping up and have stepped up forever. But we have to be innovative¹⁴ and creative in order to allow these patients to get the care that they deserve."

How it would work — and what happens if it doesn't

The nonprofit needs to clear significant financial and logistical hurdles¹⁵ before it can color in the exact details of the proposed operation.

First and foremost, they need to raise enough money to acquire a vessel¹⁶, with a preliminary goal of $20 million. That vessel will need to be retrofitted to meet clinic standards, which Autry says could take 6 to 12 months. In an ideal world, she says, the vessel would be operational in a year.

And it's still unclear what exactly that would look like, since the size of the team and number of procedures they'll be able to perform will depend on factors like the size of the vessel, union rules and fuel costs. But Autry estimates the crew could provide for about 20 patients a day, which comes out to roughly 1,800 people in six months.

The vessel would operate in the swath of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico, where its activities wouldn't be restricted by state laws. The exact distance from the coastline depends on the state, but Autry says it would be between 3 and 12 miles offshore¹⁷.

The nonprofit's website says once patients complete a pre-screening process, it will make arrangements to transport them to the vessel — and promises more information about how to make appointments soon.

It anticipates primarily serving patients who reside in Texas, Louisiana and other states along the Gulf Coast, many of which had trigger laws that immediately banned abortions.

In fact, according to PRROWESS, people in the southern parts of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas may be closer to the coast than to facilities in bordering states where abortion and reproductive health care are accessible.

"It is often very difficult and expensive for individuals who live close to the Gulf Coast to easily access care in a short time frame, due to distance to the nearest clinics and the need for connecting flights," its website reads. "Flying out of state often requires patients to secure child care and time off work for multiple days, and may not be an option at all for people who are undocumented."

The nonprofit's goal is to offer care at little to no cost to patients, depending on need. And according to an FAQ page on its website, "If at any point along this journey it appears that the floating medical clinic will not be successful, remaining funds will be distributed to other projects addressing access to abortion."

Organizers brace¹⁸ for potential legal challenges and security concerns

Autry and her nonprofit are also hesitant to provide too much detail about how people will be able to access the vessel, citing safety concerns. Without elaborating, she says she anticipates that her group will be a part of the many existing networks trying to coordinate¹⁹ abortion care for people who can't get it in their state.

People seeking or providing an abortion could face prosecution²⁰ or, Autry fears, violence. She calls security her group's top concern.

And she says that while their team is secure in their understanding of the law, it's bracing²¹ for potential legal challenges "along the way, all the time." That's in part because of ever-changing laws and lawsuits²² unfolding in restrictive states.

Amanda Allen, senior counsel and director at the Lawyering Project — which represents PRROWESS — tells NPR over email that there's no doubt about the legality of providing abortions at sea, because states don't have jurisdiction²³ over the care provided in federal or international waters. She compares it to the way that an abortion provider in New York would care for a patient traveling from a restrictive state.

Still, she says their team is exploring the same questions that they would look at in the case of a provider looking to open a clinic in a state where abortions are not banned.

Those include whether there are rules governing the facility where the care is provided, and what kind of licensure and staffing is required. They're also looking at the threats that could face abortion providers — floating or otherwise — who treat patients traveling from restrictive states.

"Given the climate of abortion access post-Dobbs, nothing is zero-risk," Allen writes. "Because of that we are concerned about the same types of extraterritorial questions that are already creating chaos²⁴ and legal uncertainty²⁵ onshore. While a state's criminal laws should not reach a provider at sea, a rogue²⁶ prosecutor²⁷ could choose to target PRROWESS, or a hostile state authority could open an investigation²⁸."

There's precedent²⁹ for this kind of care, and enthusiasm for this plan

Autry and her team are much less concerned about the medical aspects of it all.

Less than 1% of patients require emergency care from an abortion-related complication, PRROWESS says, adding that it has planned for medical emergencies and will be prepared to transport patients to land by water shuttle or helicopter depending on the urgency.

The nonprofit says the military and relief organizations have used floating clinics for years, and that its research indicates patients are willing to seek this type of care.

Autry also points to a Dutch group called Women on Waves, which sails a ship to countries where abortion is illegal, docks about 12 miles off their coasts and provides patients with abortion pills and contraceptives.

Since its founding in 1999, it has completed campaigns — not without controversy³⁰ — in countries including Ireland, Spain, Morocco, Guatemala and Mexico. (Its founder³¹, Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, created another organization several years ago that ships abortion pills to Americans from abroad.)

"Medical care on the water and surgical terminations are incredibly safe and there's precedent for that," Autry says. "So we have no reason to believe that providing care on the water is more dangerous than providing care on the land, other than it's the water."

And while the project is still in planning stages, it sounds like many volunteers are already on board.

Autry says the response to their plan has been "almost overwhelming," with people offering donations as well as their own volunteer services. She praised the legal and medical communities for their services, and notes that she's had many volunteer offerings from maritime³² crew as well.

"The most heartwarming and overwhelming is all of the offers of help from people in the restricted states," she adds. "We know that the majority of the country doesn't believe in what's happening, the outpouring we've received really emphasizes that."

This story was produced by Claire Murashima and David West, and edited by Simone Popperl.

1 abortion   

n.流产，堕胎

参考例句：

• She had an abortion at the women's health clinic.她在妇女保健医院做了流产手术。
• A number of considerations have led her to have a wilful abortion.多种考虑使她执意堕胎。

2 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

3 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

4 roe   

n.鱼卵；獐鹿

参考例句：

• We will serve smoked cod's roe at the dinner.宴会上我们将上一道熏鳕鱼子。
• I'll scramble some eggs with roe?我用鱼籽炒几个鸡蛋好吗？

5 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

6 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

7 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。

8 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

9 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

10 acronym   

n.首字母简略词，简称

参考例句：

• That's a mouthful of an acronym for a very simple technology.对于一项非常简单的技术来说，这是一个很绕口的缩写词。
• TSDF is an acronym for Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities.TSDF是处理，储存和处置设施的一个缩写。

11 statutes   

成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程

参考例句：

• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
• Each agency is also restricted by the particular statutes governing its activities. 各个机构的行为也受具体法令限制。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

12 surgical   

adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的

参考例句：

• He performs the surgical operations at the Red Cross Hospital.他在红十字会医院做外科手术。
• All surgical instruments must be sterilised before use.所有的外科手术器械在使用之前，必须消毒。

13 abortions   

n.小产( abortion的名词复数 )；小产胎儿；（计划）等中止或夭折；败育

参考例句：

• The Venerable Master: By not having abortions, by not killing living beings. 上人：不堕胎、不杀生。 来自互联网
• Conclusion Chromosome abnormality is one of the causes of spontaneous abortions. 结论：染色体异常是导致反复自然流产的原因之一。 来自互联网

14 innovative   

adj.革新的，新颖的，富有革新精神的

参考例句：

• Discover an innovative way of marketing.发现一个创新的营销方式。
• He was one of the most creative and innovative engineers of his generation.他是他那代人当中最富创造性与革新精神的工程师之一。

15 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

16 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

17 offshore   

adj.海面的，吹向海面的；adv.向海面

参考例句：

• A big program of oil exploration has begun offshore.一个大规模的石油勘探计划正在近海展开。
• A gentle current carried them slowly offshore.和缓的潮流慢慢地把他们带离了海岸。

18 brace   

n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备

参考例句：

• My daughter has to wear a brace on her teeth. 我的女儿得戴牙套以矫正牙齿。
• You had better brace yourself for some bad news. 有些坏消息,你最好做好准备。

19 coordinate   

adj.同等的，协调的；n.同等者；vt.协作，协调

参考例句：

• You must coordinate what you said with what you did.你必须使你的言行一致。
• Maybe we can coordinate the relation of them.或许我们可以调和他们之间的关系。

20 prosecution   

n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营

参考例句：

• The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
• He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。

21 bracing   

adj.令人振奋的

参考例句：

• The country is bracing itself for the threatened enemy invasion. 这个国家正准备奋起抵抗敌人的入侵威胁。
• The atmosphere in the new government was bracing. 新政府的气氛是令人振奋的。

22 lawsuits   

n.诉讼( lawsuit的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Lawsuits involving property rights and farming and grazing rights increased markedly. 涉及财产权，耕作与放牧权的诉讼案件显著地增加。 来自辞典例句
• I've lost and won more lawsuits than any man in England. 全英国的人算我官司打得最多，赢的也多，输的也多。 来自辞典例句

23 jurisdiction   

n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权

参考例句：

• It doesn't lie within my jurisdiction to set you free.我无权将你释放。
• Changzhou is under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province.常州隶属江苏省。

24 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。

25 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

26 rogue   

n.流氓；v.游手好闲

参考例句：

• The little rogue had his grandpa's glasses on.这淘气鬼带上了他祖父的眼镜。
• They defined him as a rogue.他们确定他为骗子。

27 prosecutor   

n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人

参考例句：

• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。
• The prosecutor would tear your testimony to pieces.检查官会把你的证言驳得体无完肤。

28 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

29 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

30 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

31 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

32 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。