Florida Abortion Providers and Activists Prepare for Six-Week Limit on Abortions

Florida Abortion Providers Brace for New Law Limiting Access

As a new law in Florida is set to take effect on Wednesday, abortion providers and activists are gearing up for the significant impact it will have on women seeking abortions in the state and across the Southeast.

The law, which will prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, has already led to a surge in patients at Planned Parenthood clinics in South, East, and North Florida. Providers have been working tirelessly to see as many patients as possible before the six-week limit kicks in, while activists are helping women travel out-of-state to obtain the procedure.

The six-week limit was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023, following a previous law that banned abortions after 15 weeks. The Florida Supreme Court recently upheld the 2022 law, paving the way for the six-week limit to be implemented.

With the closest places for women in Florida to obtain abortions after six weeks requiring at least a day’s travel by car, many are concerned about the limited access to reproductive healthcare. The law includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, and human trafficking, as well as for cases where the life of the mother is at risk or fatal fetal abnormalities are present.

However, abortion-rights supporters argue that these exceptions are impractical and can lead to potentially deadly delays in care. The new law also mandates a 24-hour waiting period after seeing a doctor in person before obtaining an abortion, further complicating the process for women seeking reproductive healthcare.

Despite the challenges posed by the new law, critics hope it will mobilize support for a ballot proposal aimed at enshrining abortion rights in the state Constitution. Organizations like Emergency Medical Assistance are working to provide financial aid and support to women seeking abortions, coordinating with providers in neighboring states to ensure access to care.

As the law goes into effect, the future of reproductive healthcare in Florida remains uncertain, with advocates and activists continuing to fight for the rights of women to make their own healthcare decisions.