But advocates for Amendment 4, the abortion rights measure on the ballot this November, say the clarification doesn't do enough.

Florida’s two state health agencies clarified for doctors on Thursday morning that an abortion is allowed at “any stage in pregnancy” to save the life and health of the mother, according to a press release.

“Providers are reminded that Florida requires life-saving medical care to a mother without delay when necessary, and the Florida Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration will take regulatory action when a provider fails to follow this standard of care,” the press release says in bold text.

The release, aimed to dispel what the state called “misinformation” about abortion in Florida, also says “miscarriage is not an abortion” in bold text and warns health care facilities and providers that a failure to provide life-saving treatment for pregnant women may constitute malpractice.

  • snooggums@lemmy.worldEnglish
    45·
    2 months ago

    It is great, but does the Attorney General care what the health agencies say?

    The chilling effect from the abortion bans also comes from contradictory regulations, rules, and guidance with medical professionals trying to error on the side of not being prosecuted because the AG wants to drag them to court over whether the mother’s life was in danger.

    In Thursday’s press release, the agencies mention “fatal fetal abnormality” as an exception to the abortion law along with rape, incest and human trafficking. The press release later explains the exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking have a cut off for 15 weeks, but the agencies do not say whether that applies to “fatal fetal abnormality.”