Does Florida abortion law have no ‘real’ exceptions? Fact-checking pro-Amendment 4 ad

The group backing Amendment 4 in Florida, which would enshrine abortion access until viability and replace the state’s current six-week ban, launched its first statewide TV ad during the presidential debate. Its message: Florida’s abortion law takes effect before many women know they are pregnant or have had their first doctor’s appointment. “This is when government in Florida has banned abortion,” the narrator says. “An extreme ban with no real exceptions. Not for her health.

Not even for rape. ” Florida’s abortion ban, in place since May 1, is considered one of the country’s strictest. But it does include exceptions for the pregnant woman’s health, and for cases of rape and incest up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Yes on 4 argues that the exceptions require burdensome paperwork and are difficult to obtain. Yes on 4, Floridians Protecting Freedom is a campaign of groups, including Planned Parenthood, trying to expand abortion access.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed the six-week law in April 2023, is leading a statewide effort to defeat Amendment 4. Within a day last week, Florida’s health care agency launched a website against the initiative, and DeSantis’ secretary of state ordered an investigation into thousands of the ballot measure’s verified signatures. The window for an abortion in Florida is tight: The law requires two in-person doctor visits at least 24 hours apart before the six-week cutoff for an abortion, with a few exceptions. The law allows for an abortion at any point of pregnancy if the pregnant woman’s health or life is “at serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment.

” Abortions for cases involving rape or incest are allowed up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Laura Goodhue, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, said the law’s requirements for qualifying exceptions make it hard for patients to meet the letter of the.