Florida has implemented a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy as of Wednesday, making the state’s regulations one of the strictest in the region. Prior to this ban, Florida had been a refuge for abortion access in the South after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In 2021, over 9,300 individuals traveled to Florida for abortion care, which was more than double the number in 2020. The state recorded around 84,000 abortions last year, which equates to about 1 in 12 nationwide. The new ban, which allows exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking up to 15 weeks of pregnancy, will likely impact those seeking abortion services and limit their options.
Abortion providers in Florida had been working to see as many patients as possible in the weeks leading up to the implementation of the ban. Some patients were confused about the state’s restrictions and timelines, given that over a year has passed since Governor Ron DeSantis signed the six-week ban. The policy had been temporarily blocked until a recent state Supreme Court ruling paved the way for its enforcement. Additionally, Florida requires two in-person visits to a clinic, 24 hours apart, prior to obtaining an abortion, a detail that some patients were unaware of. Providers expressed concerns about potential delays in care due to the new law and the impact this could have on women’s health.
Cassie, a 20-year-old Florida resident, had her first consultation at an abortion clinic just days before the ban went into effect. Despite being less than six weeks pregnant, she was unaware that the six-week ban was scheduled to occur two days later. Cassie wanted another child but couldn’t afford it at the time due to financial constraints. She confronted a protester outside the clinic who urged her to continue her pregnancy, highlighting the difficult decisions women in Florida may have to make following the implementation of the ban. The new law will force some women to either carry unwanted pregnancies or travel long distances to access abortion services.
Anti-abortion-rights groups are celebrating the new law, positioning Florida as a sanctuary for life and touting the state’s efforts to support pregnant women through the Florida Pregnancy Care Network. However, some crisis pregnancy centers associated with this network have been known to provide misleading information, and there are concerns about the impact of the ban on women’s health and autonomy. With nine Southern states having total abortion bans and others restricting access, individuals seeking abortions may have to travel long distances to access care. Organizations like the Florida Access Network are preparing to support patients who need assistance with out-of-state abortions.
To address the impact of Florida’s six-week abortion ban, A Woman’s Choice, a network of abortion clinics, has opened a clinic in Virginia and operates others in North Carolina. The organization aims to help women in the South understand their remaining legal options for abortions, given the limited access in many states. Patients from Mississippi and Louisiana have already traveled to Florida seeking abortions before the ban took effect, underscoring the challenges women will face in accessing care. The network plans to assist individuals with logistics, travel, and other resources to facilitate access to abortion services in neighboring states.
