The amendment seeks to establish a constitutional right to abortion in Florida, allowing the procedure up to 22 weeks of pregnancy and potentially later. However, a coalition of over 300 Florida physicians and health care professionals is urging voters to reject Amendment 4. They argue that the proposed amendment is harmful to women, children, and families. Florida’s current abortion laws restrict the procedure after six weeks of gestation, except in cases of rape, incest, human trafficking, fatal fetal abnormalities, or life-threatening situations. Amendment 4 proposes that no law shall interfere with abortion before viability or to protect the patient’s health, as determined by a healthcare provider, with the exception of parental notification for minors. Critics are concerned about the lack of defined health conditions for late-term abortions and the potential risks associated with allowing non-physicians to perform abortions. The group also fears that the amendment could eliminate current regulations safeguarding women and children, such as stricter parental consent requirements and a mandatory waiting period before undergoing an abortion. Pro-life advocates shared personal stories of their abortion experiences, emphasizing the long-lasting negative effects and urging voters to reject the amendment. On the other hand, supporters of Amendment 4 argue that Florida’s current abortion law is dangerous and limits access to the procedure for many women.
Christina Francis, CEO of the American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, expressed concern that Amendment 4 would lead to a decline in the quality of care provided to patients.
As a board-certified OB-GYN from Indiana, Francis joined her colleagues in Orlando for a press conference to address the potential impact of the amendment.
She warned that if passed, Amendment 4 would pose a significant risk to the health and safety of women, girls, and fetal patients in Florida, making it one of the most dangerous places in the country for medical care.
Francis emphasized that implementing essential health and safety regulations to protect patients would be extremely challenging under the proposed amendment, ultimately burdening the state’s emergency rooms.
Labeling the amendment as “unnecessary and dangerous,” Francis stressed the importance of providing better care for all patients, regardless of their stance on abortion.
For Amendment 4 to be approved, it will require a 60 percent majority vote.
Meanwhile, Florida officials are investigating allegations of forged signatures on the petition to include the amendment, which were reportedly verified incorrectly by election supervisors. The state’s Office of Election Crimes and Security is actively examining signatures and interviewing voters to determine the validity of these claims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
