TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — There are mixed opinions on Florida’s new six-week abortion ban and the impact it may have on women and clinics, which operate statewide under government supervision.

What You Need To Know

  • The six-week ban took effect Wednesday

  • It impacts Floridians, and clinics too

  • Some fear this will make providers think twice

  • A state agency alleges "fearmongering"

So much so, the state agency responsible for abortion regulation published a flier Wednesday addressing the law.

“Don’t let the fear mongers lie to you,” wrote the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) on X. 

The new ban replaces Florida’s existing 15-week ban. However, it also introduces new exemptions addressing sexual assault.

Some critics believe the ban will burden Floridians, as well as providers. 

Others consider six weeks too soon to detect pregnancy, leaving clinics little time to perform an abortion.

“They’re going to be very hesitant to provide that abortion themselves for fear of being criminalized and penalized,” said Orlando Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani.

The Orlando lawmaker isn’t alone. Others share that concern, including providers themselves. 

“I am appalled at the state of reproductive health care in Florida,” wrote Dr. Robyn Schickler, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood Southwest and Central Florida. 

In the flier, AHCA listed bullet points countering what they call “myth.” Women will not be jailed under the law, the agency wrote. They also spotlighted the law’s exemption for mothers facing life-threatening circumstances. 

The flier adds: “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 health and wellbeing of their patient.”

Florida clinics face stiff regulation. The stakes are high, too. AHCA performs regular evaluations, while also investigating complaints. According to AHCA records, the agency in 2022 and 2023 conducted more than 230 in-person inspections. Fines against clinics found for individual violations can top up to $1,000.

In one instance, an Orlando clinic faced $193,000 in fines. The clinic reportedly violated a law requiring a 24-hour wait period. In turn, the state levied a $1,000 fine per each of its violations. Donations later saved the clinic.

“The Agency for Health Care Administration can and will conduct spontaneous inspections of your medical files and when they can (they) will absolutely slap fines on you,” said Eskamani, who worked previously at Planned Parenthood.

The new ban doesn’t directly impact Florida’s supervision over clinics. The state logged 84,052 abortions in 2023 alone. State law requires clinics to maintain data and paperwork. They’re also required to report statistics to the state. 

 “As always, the Agency expects providers to comply with Florida law and will be adding the new abortion requirements to our survey process,” said AHCA Deputy Chief of Staff Alecia Collins.

Voters in November will vote whether to enshrine in the state constitution abortion access up to viability, which is generally considered around 24 weeks.