Florida as a new safe haven for women's healthcare (abortion)
June 28, 2022
We are in the unthinkable situation that Florida is emerging as a safe haven for abortion rights, despite the fact that in 3 days, a new, strict prohibition on abortions will take effect after 15 weeks from a woman's last period, with no exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or human trafficking. This will replace the current law allowing abortions up until 24 weeks. Abortion in the 2nd trimester is rare—in 2021, 94% of abortions in Florida actually occurred during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. But, when necessary, it is often because of severe birth defects that don't come to light until later in pregnancy, or excessive health risks to the mother.
The new 15-week ban taking effect July 1, 2022 is currently being challenged in a Florida circuit court, on the basis of allegedly violating the state constitution's protection on privacy rights. However, many judges on Florida circuit and appellate courts, as well as justices on the Florida Supreme Court and United States Supreme Court, were appointed by Republicans and groomed by the Federalist Society specifically to oppose abortion and other women's healthcare rights, along with LGBTQ rights, environmental justice, and more. Thus, there is a strong chance the new law will stick.
In addition, there is a 24-hour waiting period required as of April 2022 in Florida, burdening blue-collar mothers especially as it requires them to take multiple days off work to attend 2 appointments more than 24 hours apart, possibly requiring them to secure lodging and childcare as well. This had been implemented by the legislature several years back but had been delayed by court challenges up until now.
Governor Ron DeSantis has promised to restrict abortion rights even further, and we have already seen his complete domination of the Florida legislature with respect to punishing Walt Disney Company by moving legislation through a special legislative session to abolish the Reedy Creek Improvement District (effective summer 2023) in just a matter of days. Furthermore, he was able to subjugate the legislature in passing his own super-gerrymandered congressional districts, also in April 2022, along with numerous other authoritarian accomplishments.
Florida House Representative Anna Eskamani of Orlando has egged DeSantis and other Republicans on, stating: "I dare Republicans to pursue an abortion ban, as voters will wake up and hold you accountable for such an extremist anti-women and anti-freedom agenda." Eskamani is a strong supporter of women's healthcare and abortion rights, having previously served as Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida.
Despite all this, if the 15-week ban does not give way to even more restrictive legislation in the future, Florida will certainly be a safe haven for abortion. According to an analysis by The Guardian, Alabama completely prohibits abortion, Georgia will be prohibiting abortions at 6 weeks of gestation very soon (unless struck down by the courts), and similar laws are coming in South Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Further away, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma now completely prohibit abortion, and Texas is also putting into place a ban at 6 weeks of gestation.
In 2021, 79,648 abortions were performed in Florida, according to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, of which 59,252 (74%) were classified as elective. Only 4,850 (6.1%) occurred in the 2nd trimester. Only a small percentage of these abortions were women traveling from other states, but demand is expected to increase drastically from out-of-state residents due to lack of availability in their home states, and clinics are not prepared for the influx. Floridians for Reproductive Freedom suggests donating to the Broward Women's Emergency Fund and/or 4 others (see last link in today's Notes).
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Notes:
https://www.npr.org/2022/04/14/1084485963/florida-abortion-law-15-weeks
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/27/us/florida-abortion-ban-health-care.html
https://www.self.com/story/why-people-get-second-trimester-abortions
Dictator DeSantis of DeSantisStand formerly Florida has now adopted the power to control woman's bodies. Dictator DeSantis loves to tout DeSantisStand is a free state until it's something he doesn't like. Believe me people The Fat Boy in the Slim type suit that no longer fits will soon dawn a full scale Dictator Uniform. #RunRonOut