Implications of Florida's Newly Enacted 6-Week Abortion Ban on Access and Providers

A six-week ban on abortion in Florida is set to start next month, which will make it much harder to access abortion in a state that sees a lot of people seeking this service. Florida has become an important place for abortions, especially since there are many restrictions on abortion in the region. Abortion providers have been adjusting to changes in laws and regulations since the US Supreme Court's Dobbs decision two years ago, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The changes in Florida are especially important in this landscape.

According to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights, Florida is where 1 out of every 3 abortions in the South happens, and about 1 out of every 12 abortions nationwide. In 2023, over 9,000 individuals came from other states to get an abortion in Florida, which is at least double the number from 2020.

Abortion rights proponents and anti-abortion activists voice their opinions outside the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, February 7, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Abortion rights proponents and anti-abortion activists voice their opinions outside the Florida Supreme Court on Wednesday, February 7, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat/USA Today Network

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Amber Gavin, the vice president of advocacy and operations for A Woman’s Choice, an independent abortion clinic with locations in Florida and North Carolina, expressed her devastation upon hearing the news. She mentioned feeling her heart drop when she saw a ruling on the Florida Supreme Court’s website on Monday. This ruling will soon lead to the implementation of a six-week abortion ban in the state within 30 days.

Voters in Florida will have the opportunity to consider a constitutional amendment this fall in response to this development.

Abortion access in the Southeast is being severely impacted, which is really concerning for our patients.

Many women are unaware of their pregnancy until six weeks after their last menstrual period. States that have implemented laws with this early gestation limit have experienced significant reductions in abortion services. For example, after Senate Bill 8 was enforced in Texas in 2021, the number of abortions provided within the healthcare system decreased by half, leading to a higher number of unexpected births. Similarly, South Carolina saw a 70% drop in abortions just one month after enforcing a six-week limit.

It’s hard to predict how abortion trends will change once Florida’s new law goes into effect on May 1. According to Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, people who were planning to have an abortion in Florida might now consider going to Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina, or Virginia, depending on where they live and how far along they are in their pregnancy. However, the increased travel distances could make it difficult for many to access abortion services.

Isaac also mentioned that this policy change in Florida has the potential to have a significant impact on a large number of people. He emphasized that this doesn’t mean the harm caused by other policy changes should be overlooked, as they have also created barriers to access. The various obstacles to abortion care, especially in the Southeast, are interconnected and contribute to making it even harder for people to get the care they need.

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In the South, nine out of 16 states have banned abortion. Florida will soon implement a six-week ban, joining Georgia and South Carolina. This means that only Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia allow abortion beyond the first trimester, while North Carolina has a 12-week limit.

According to Guttmacher data from 2023, there were approximately 7,000 abortions taking place in Florida every month. With upcoming restrictions on access starting next month, abortion support networks and providers in states with fewer restrictions are preparing for a potential increase in demand.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, founder and CEO of Whole Woman’s Health, a provider of abortion services in various states, mentioned that they always have several backup plans due to the challenging environment they operate in. She acknowledged that they were aware a decision would be made soon, but the timing was uncertain.

Currently, Hagstrom Miller is concentrating on expanding the capabilities of their existing clinics in Virginia and Maryland to accommodate individuals who may need to seek care outside of Florida.

Hagstrom Miller mentioned that they may need to add more days and hours to the schedule, as well as ensure they have enough physicians and staff to handle an increase in patient volume.

She also stated that the current clinics are not fully booked, with appointments usually available within a few days. However, they are also looking into the possibility of opening a new clinic near the southern border of Virginia.

"We are focusing on regions near the Virginia-North Carolina border and Virginia-Tennessee border. This is because many individuals travel along these interstates from the South," explained Hagstrom Miller. "For some, these locations may be about two hours closer compared to our other sites."

Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and Misoprostol, the two drugs used in a medication abortion, are seen at the Women's Reproductive Clinic, which provides legal medication abortion services, in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on June 17, 2022. Mifepristone is taken first to stop the pregnancy, followed by Misoprostol to induce bleeding. - In the wake of Friday's ruling by the US Supreme Court striking down Roe v Wade and the federally protected right to an abortion, women from Texas and other states are traveling to clinics like the Women's Reproductive Health Clinic in New Mexico for legal abortion services under the state's more liberal laws. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

At the Women's Reproductive Clinic in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, Mifepristone (Mifeprex) and Misoprostol are the two drugs used in a medication abortion. Mifepristone is taken first to stop the pregnancy, followed by Misoprostol to induce bleeding.

In light of the recent ruling by the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade and the federally protected right to an abortion, women from Texas and other states are now traveling to clinics like the Women's Reproductive Health Clinic in New Mexico for legal abortion services under the state's more liberal laws.

Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images/File

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Illinois has become a significant access point for abortion. According to Guttmacher data, in 2023, nearly 37,000 abortions were provided to patients from out of state, making it the highest number in any state.

For individuals traveling from the South for an abortion, Chicago is often a more affordable option compared to other cities. Qudsiyyah Shariyf, deputy director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, mentioned that people from the South may also have a stronger family or community support network in Chicago. The organization offers referrals and financial assistance to those facing obstacles in accessing abortion services.

The nonprofit has prepared its programs and resources in anticipation of a recent decision by Florida's high court. Staff members believe they will require an additional $100,000 to accommodate the increased number of individuals from Florida and other Southern states seeking assistance with abortion services.

"We have managed to assist everyone who has come to us since 2019. To sustain this support for Floridians and others from the South, we will need increased funding from the state, federal government, and legislators," stated Shariyf. "Our primary focus is on meeting the immediate demand, but we also aim to raise awareness and garner further support during this time."

Florida's 15-week abortion ban will soon change to a six-week limit. However, in November, voters will have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment that could protect abortion rights up to 23 weeks, considered the point of "viability."

Gavin is optimistic that voters will show their support for reproductive rights. She has witnessed the challenges faced by patients and clinic staff due to current gestational restrictions. The new law will be in place for six months before the election.

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Gavin expressed his concern about the impact of the six-week abortion ban on patients past 15 weeks. Turning patients away at this stage is distressing, and he worries that the narrow window for accessing care will be too late for many. He is particularly worried about the marginalized communities in Florida who rely on abortion services.

A Woman's Choice and other abortion clinics provide additional services such as ultrasounds to determine gestational age, birth control, and STI testing. They also offer resources and referrals for services that they may not be able to provide themselves.

"We are committed to staying open and offering abortion care for as long as possible," she explained. "One way to show support for us and other clinics in Florida is by getting your regular healthcare services at places like ours. This will help us keep our doors open and continue providing care."

Editor's P/S:

The impending implementation of a six-week abortion ban in Florida is a grave blow to reproductive rights in the state and beyond. This drastic measure will severely limit access to essential healthcare for countless individuals, particularly those from the South who rely on Florida as a safe haven. The ban will disproportionately affect marginalized communities, who already face significant barriers to healthcare.

The impact of similar bans in other states has been devastating, with a sharp decline in abortion services and an increase in unexpected births. Florida's ban is expected to have a similar effect, forcing patients to travel long distances or delay care past the legal limit. This will not only create logistical challenges but also pose a serious risk to their health and well-being. It is imperative that policymakers reconsider this harmful legislation and prioritize the rights and autonomy of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies.