In an exciting development for abortion rights advocates, Floridians Protecting Freedoms, an abortion rights group in Florida, claims to have collected enough petition signatures to bring a state constitutional amendment protecting the right to an abortion to a vote in 2024. However, before voters can have a say on the matter, the language of the amendment must be approved by the state Supreme Court, and it currently faces opposition from Florida's attorney general.
The proposed amendment states that no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. The campaign director of Floridians Protecting Freedoms, Lauren Brenzel, remains optimistic about the amendment's chances, believing that the language is clear and concise, making it easily comprehensible for voters.
Nevertheless, Florida's attorney general has voiced concerns over the amendment, arguing that terms such as 'health,' 'viability,' and 'healthcare provider' are vague and confusing. The challenge posits that these words could be used to deceive voters. However, Brenzel dismisses these arguments as politically motivated, asserting that 'viability' is well-defined in the abortion context and has been used in Florida statute and reviews.
Governor DeSantis' proposed six-week abortion ban was also discussed during a recent town hall. The ban includes exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and fetal abnormality but requires specific documentation for validation, such as a police report, restraining order, or medical records. In response to this, Brenzel highlights how politicians dictating medical policy fail to fully understand the unique circumstances that can lead to the necessity for abortion access.
With the existing 15-week abortion ban awaiting Supreme Court review and the potential implementation of the six-week ban, Floridians Protecting Freedoms emphasizes the dangers and limitations of these restrictions. They cite instances of women suffering due to these bans, such as being unable to find two physicians to certify a fetal abnormality or being compelled to travel out of state in emergency situations.
Moreover, the group raises concerns regarding the lack of easily accessible abortion care options in Florida, with neighboring states already having enacted abortion bans. The potential impact of these restrictions extends beyond abortion, as OB-GYNs may also face criminalization, leading to a decline in overall OB-GYN care availability.
Ultimately, Floridians Protecting Freedoms believes that every voter in Florida should have the opportunity to have their voices heard on the important matter of abortion rights. If the state Supreme Court approves the language of the proposed amendment and it secures at least 60% of voter support, it would effectively overturn Florida's current 15-week abortion ban.
