Life just scored a win in the Sunshine State
Thursday, the Florida Legislature built on the progress it made last year and voted to protect tens of thousands of unborn babies from the violence of abortion.
For years, Florida had some of the loosest laws in the Southeast, permitting legal abortions for two months after babies feel pain. While our neighbors passed gestational protections as “trigger laws” to prepare for the eventual overturn of Roe v. Wade, Florida was seen as a late-term abortion destination.
In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 5, which brought the gestational limit forward to 15 weeks’ gestation, based on important developmental milestones and the excruciating pain that a baby feels during a dilation and evacuation, or dismemberment abortion.
Despite wall-to-wall negative ads run by pro-choice activists last fall, voters rewarded pro-life Republicans, handing them a supermajority in both chambers and reelecting Governor DeSantis, who signed the law, and Attorney General Ashley Moody, who has been defending pro-life laws in state and federal court, by double digits.
Back in Tallahassee with a mandate from Florida voters, the Legislature has passed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which would protect unborn babies at six weeks gestation, when their beating hearts can be seen and heard using ultrasound technology. This bill has already passed the Senate 26-13 and took center stage in the House for a final vote.
DeSantis has pledged his support for the bill, and his administration has called on the Florida Supreme Court to overturn a misguided precedent that allows the will of the people to finally take effect. We are optimistic about the court returning abortion policy back to the people through their elected officials.
It’s not all good news. Tragically, data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration shows that more than 82,000 abortions occurred in the state in 2022, nearly 4,900 of which were done on women from other states. Ninety-five percent of these abortions were listed as being done for “elective” or “social or economic reasons.” Research shows that over 60% of women who have abortions report pressure, whether because of finances, a male partner, or other individuals, meaning that many women are not exercising a “free choice” when they walk into an abortion clinic.
We know there’s more to be done to help Florida families, and that is reflected in the funding sections of this bill. More money—$25 million annually—is appropriated to serve moms and families, a five-fold increase from last year. More families — the bill adds adoptive families and extends the postpartum timeframe for participation in these critical programs. More services — the bill expands the types of services accessible through the Florida Pregnancy Care Network to include nonmedical material assistance, education materials, and employment and life skills support.
Florida’s pregnancy centers offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, medical exams, counseling, parenting classes, financial classes, and resources such as food, diapers, clothing, and financial assistance for housing and utilities. Through public-private partnerships, we can extend their reach and serve families in every corner of our state.
In addition to dedicated funding for the Pregnancy Care Network, the 2023 state budget extends Medicaid for mothers and their babies postpartum and funds a telehealth pilot program to bring maternity care into the homes of women in the ten counties with the highest maternal morbidity rates. The pro-life safety net is key to supporting flourishing families in a pro-life Florida.
The Heartbeat Protection Act is popular. Earlier this year we did statewide polling in English and Spanish and found that 62% of Floridians support protecting unborn children from abortion when their heartbeat can be detected, including 61% of Independents and 58% of women.
Seeing and hearing a baby’s heartbeat presents us with an undeniable truth—that tiny baby is a human being worthy of protection and love. The Heartbeat Protection Act represents the will of the people and brings Florida in line with 19 other states that have enacted laws to protect babies with beating hearts. It expands the range of services available to women and families. That’s a win-win for the Sunshine State.