Today, the Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s 15-week abortion ban. A six-week abortion ban in the state has already been passed and the language states that it will go into effect 30 days after the 15-week ban goes into effect. Therefore, 30 days from now, Floridians will live under a six-week abortion ban. This devastating news came on the same day that the state heard that it will be able to bring a ballot initiative forward in an effort to protect abortion access in the state. Voters will have an opportunity to decide on the ballot initiative in November.
Dr. Chelsea Daniels, family medicine physician and abortion provider in Florida and Fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:
“As a family medicine physician in the state of Florida, I have the privilege of taking care of patients’ vast reproductive needs – including abortion. Today, the Florida Supreme Court decided to ban abortion after six-weeks of pregnancy, a ruling that becomes effective in 30 days. I am terrified. I am angry. I am indignant. But mostly, I’m sad. Restrictions on abortion care impact all of us. When people can’t get the basic health care they need, their entire life trajectory changes, as does that of their family and loved ones.
I will continue to provide abortion care until I am no longer able, under the confines of the law, because Floridians need abortion care, plain and simple.
“Abortion is normal health care. It’s essential health care. The only reason why it is under continued attack is because of legislators’ and judges’ attempts to control our lives and autonomy. These restrictions are not based in science or medicine; they’re based in coercive political tactics trying to make decisions for all of our lives.
“We Floridians now have the opportunity to make it clear that government interference has no place in our private medical decisions — voting is a powerful tool.
“I will continue to provide abortion care until I am no longer able, under the confines of the law, because Floridians need abortion care, plain and simple.”