On Wednesday, Florida’s new six-week abortion ban — dubbed the “Heartbeat Protection Act” — went into effect, which bars most women in the state from receiving an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
The law has seen both support and backlash, with proponents saying that the legislation will help prevent children from being killed, and opponents arguing it violates women’s bodily autonomy.
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The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration released a list of possible misconceptions regarding the new law shortly after it went into effect.
The release aims to “combat the lies and misinformation surrounding Florida’s Heartbeat Protection Act” by clarifying some “myths” about the legislation, the AHCA states.
Per the Florida AHCA, the full list of “myths” and “facts” is as follows:
CLAIM: “Women can no longer receive healthcare.”
RETORT: “Florida does not restrict lifesaving care for women — it promotes it. Florida hospitals and health care providers deliver some of the highest-quality prenatal care in the nation. Florida also provides additional maternal health care resources through the Florida Department of Health.”
CLAIM: “Women will be jailed as a result of the law.”
RETORT: “Florida’s criminal abortion penalties do not apply to pregnant women. Florida works to ensure the health and safety of mothers and babies by continuing to hold medical providers accountable to the standards of their oath to protect and ensure the health and well-being of their parents.”
CLAIM: “Women won’t even know they’re pregnant.”
RETORT: “Pregnancy tests have evolved substantially over the years. Trace levels of hCG can now be detected as early as eight days after ovulation.”
CLAIM: “Women will be forced to give birth even if their life or health is in jeopardy.”
RETORT: “Florida law includes exceptions to save the pregnant woman’s life or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Exceptions exist for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, human trafficking, and for emergency medical procedures to save the life of the mother.”
CLAIM: “Women in need of treatment for an ectopic pregnancy will not have access to care.”
RETORT: “Treatment to remove an ectopic pregnancy is not prohibited under Florida law.”
CLAIM: “Women who experience a premature rupture of membranes (PROM) will be sent home without care.”
RETORT: “Florida law does not prohibit treatment for women who experience PROM, and as such, physicians in Florida should follow established standards of care regarding the most appropriate course of action for PROM. Florida law includes an exception to save the life of the mother or avert a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. In addition to this exception, the law does not prohibit saving the life of the mother in medical emergencies.”
CLAIM: “Women who experience the tragic loss of a pregnancy, commonly known as a miscarriage, will be denied treatment.”
RETORT: “Florida law does not prohibit the removal of the pregnancy for women who experience a miscarriage in any circumstance.”
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