Anticipating the Impact: Florida’s Six-week Abortion Ban and Its Ripple Effects

In Florida, abortion providers are making preparations to face a surge in patient volume in anticipation of the implementation of a six-week prohibition on abortion. The 12-week moratorium in North Carolina remains less stringent than that of the majority of southern states.

Abortion clinics are managed by A Woman’s Choice in Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. Florida is scheduled to implement a moratorium on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy the following month.

Kelly Flynn, president and CEO of A Woman’s Choice, predicted, “I have a strong suspicion that the number of patients traveling from our Florida location to our North Carolina locations will increase significantly.” “The majority of women are unaware they are pregnant until the sixth week.”

Flynn stated that clinics in North Carolina are preparing to see an increase in patients.

“We are currently in discussions with our attending physicians regarding other physicians who might be willing to provide care on days when we don’t typically see patients,” she explained.

Last year, Florida facilitated approximately one-twelfth of all abortions conducted nationwide, as reported by Planned Parenthood. After the six-week prohibition is implemented, a considerable number of patients might seek out clinics in other states.

According to Dr. Erica Pettigrew, a primary care and reproductive health physician based in Hillsborough, certain individuals seeking medication abortions will likely utilize telehealth services. Conversely, those with the financial means to travel will likely locate states where abortion is legal to obtain.

Individuals continue to undergo abortions. “They generally manage to devise alternative methods,” she explained.

Furthermore, individuals residing in numerous southern states will be impacted by Florida’s more stringent prohibition, she continued.

“It affects more than just Floridians,” she added. “Florida, despite having its own abortion bans and restrictions before the six-week ban, did provide a sanctuary for individuals from more restrictive states such as Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi to receive medical care; they will no longer be able to do so.”

North Carolina is the next closest state that permits abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy. Jenny Black, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, issued the following statement: “Planned Parenthood health center staff in North Carolina are exerting every effort to increase appointment availability and capacity expeditiously.”

A Woman’s Choice, according to Flynn, can assist patients who wish to travel.

Flynn stated, “If they desired to travel to North Carolina, we would assist with travel expenses and coordinate logistics closely with them.”

She stated that if a woman is pregnant for more than 12 weeks, A Woman’s Choice will refer her to their Virginia clinic. In response to a North Carolina law prohibiting the majority of abortions after 12 weeks, that clinic arose.