The emergency ordinance just passed by the King County Council would set up a $500,000 contract with the Northwest Abortion Access Fund to provide the help for women seeking an abortion, including those in states where it’s now illegal. Sponsors of the ordinance say they created it as an emergency measure because the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade left thousands of women who had options with fewer choices and with less time to make decisions.
Heather Mason with King County Public Health says the high court’s decision increased the number of people whose closest abortion provider is in Washington by 385%, so they also want to make sure there’s access for locals who need the services. In addition, Mason says, “Individuals seeking pregnancy-related care, such as miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies, are also going to experience delays or the inability to access such services, and those are life-threatening.”
The one vote against the ordinance was from Council Member, Reagan Dunn, because he says while he believes the non-profit should be there helping, he thinks it should be paid for by donations – not by taxpayers.
