Jax NOW president: Florida’s SB 300 will not stop abortions — only the safe procedures
The Jacksonville area chapter of the National Organization for Women strongly opposes SB 300, the six-week abortion ban currently being rushed through the Florida Legislature.
A 15-week ban is already overly restrictive and several recent polls show that legal abortion is supported by a majority of Floridians. Abortion is health care and this bill bans the procedure with few exceptions; in the case of rape, the victim must alert law enforcement and get a police report to get an abortion.
Appropriated in the bill is $30 million to what I can only describe as “fake clinics,” sometimes called crisis pregnancy centers. Instead of comprehensive reproductive health care, these clinics often use phony ads to trick pregnant people into making an appointment. Once inside, people are generally shamed and pressured about their reproductive health decisions, to the point that they miss the deadline for a legal abortion.
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If the goal is to reduce abortions, that $30 million appropriation in the bill should go toward sex-ed classes, contraception and financial aid to families in need.
In addition, this bill requires abortion pills to be given in person by the physician, which isn't necessary and would increase the cost to the patient. Abortion pills are safe and effective. Obstetricians and gynecologists are in short supply in Florida. This bill will make it worse because they’d rather practice in other states where the government isn’t interfering with their ability to provide care.
Abortion is an essential part of comprehensive health care. Just like any other medical intervention, it must be available equitably to all people, no matter their race or socioeconomic status. When abortion is legal, it is safe. These oppressive laws will force many people to face the known risks associated with continuing a pregnancy, including potential complications or worsening of existing health conditions, as well as morbidity and mortality associated with childbirth.
The Jacksonville area chapter of the National Organization for Women, commonly referred to as Jax NOW, fully supports safe and legal abortion, affordable and effective contraception, medication abortion, telemedicine and reproductive health education for all. This is a personal medical decision where politicians (or anyone else) do not belong.
Abortions will never be stopped — they will just no longer be safe.
Dr. Kim Elmore, president, Jax NOW
This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida's six-week abortion ban will only stop safe procedures
