As of Wednesday, May 1, 2024, obtaining an abortion in Florida after 6 weeks is now prohibited, and individuals who violate this ban will be charged with a third-degree felony.
In a significant move, President Biden has signed an executive order aimed at protecting access to abortion. This decision comes as a response to the increasing threats and restrictions on reproductive rights across the country. The executive order seeks to safeguard women’s access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and ensure that they have the right to make their own decisions about their bodies.
This executive order is a direct response to the ongoing efforts by some states to restrict access to abortion. Numerous states have passed laws that impose significant barriers to reproductive healthcare, including mandatory waiting periods, unnecessary medical procedures, and limitations on funding. These restrictions disproportionately affect low-income women, women of color, and marginalized communities.
By signing this executive order, President Biden is taking a stand against these discriminatory practices and reaffirming his commitment to protecting reproductive rights. The order instructs federal agencies to review and revise regulations that may hinder access to abortion services. It also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to consider rescinding the Title X gag rule, which prohibits healthcare providers from discussing abortion with their patients.
This executive order is a crucial step towards ensuring that all women have access to the reproductive healthcare they need. It sends a clear message that the Biden administration will not tolerate efforts to undermine women’s rights and will actively work to protect and expand access to abortion services.
In addition to this executive order, President Biden has also called on Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act. This legislation would establish a federal statutory right to access abortion and prevent states from enacting restrictions that do not advance women’s health and safety.
The signing of this executive order is a significant victory for reproductive rights advocates who have been fighting to protect access to abortion. It represents a turning point in the ongoing battle for reproductive justice and sends a powerful message that the rights and autonomy of women must be respected and protected.
In the past, Florida served as a safe haven for individuals seeking abortion services in the South following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court. Shockingly, the number of people who traveled to the state for abortion care last year exceeded 9,300, which is more than double the figure in 2020. Additionally, approximately 84,000 abortions were performed in Florida in 2021, accounting for approximately 1 in 12 abortions nationwide.
In April 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida signed a Mississippi-style abortion ban into law, thereby reducing the permissible period for terminating a pregnancy by over two months. This resulted in the prohibition of abortions after 15 weeks in the state.
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DeSantis’ office wasted no time in announcing that the bill (HB 5) had reached them for approval after being passed by the Florida Legislature in March. Without any hesitation, the governor promptly signed the ban, showcasing his pride in a ceremony and rally held at an evangelical church in Kissimmee.
The 6-week ban, which was passed by the Florida Legislature last year, officially took effect a month ago. This came after the state Supreme Court overturned a 34-year-old decision that had previously protected a woman’s right to have an abortion. The ruling, which now prohibits abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, paved the way for the implementation of the more stringent 6-week ban. Although this ban had been temporarily blocked, it went into effect 30 days after last month’s decision by the Supreme Court.
A heartbreaking story unfolded in Florida as a couple was legally denied an abortion, which means they will have to witness their baby’s death within two hours of delivery.
Florida has recently implemented a new abortion ban that restricts abortions after six weeks of gestation. This ban replaces the previous 15-week restriction and now considers performing or participating in an abortion after six weeks as a third-degree felony. This timeframe is approximately two weeks after a missed period.
The new abortion ban in Florida, which has now taken effect, allows for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and human trafficking up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Furthermore, abortions will be permitted to save a woman’s life or prevent “substantial and irreversible” physical harm, although doctors may still face legal consequences.
According to reports, patients seeking an abortion in Florida will now need to visit a clinic in person twice, with a 24-hour gap between the visits, due to the implementation of the 6-week abortion ban.