Florida Abortions Drop Less Than Expected After Ban

Florida's abortion restrictions, which were effective May 1 and ban abortions after six weeks, produced a 30% reduction in abortions that month and a 35% decline in June. That's a smaller decline than seen in other states with similar bans: 45% in Georgia, almost 80% in South Carolina, and 50% in Texas. A study by the Guttmacher Institute attributes this to better-prepared clinics and networks in Florida, which facilitated early pregnancy detection and out-of-state telehealth prescriptions for abortion pills. This study highlights that fact that women are still finding access avenues despite Republican-led states' tightening of laws.

Florida's status as the third-most populous state translates into it having more abortion-seekers than almost anywhere else in the country. Its geography can make things challenging, as it takes 11 hours to drive from Miami to North Carolina, the closest state that provides abortions later in a pregnancy, though patients must wait 72 hours after their initial appointment to get an abortion there.

Planned Parenthood spokesperson Michelle Quesada said the group's clinics have been hustling to get patients appointments quickly and have cross-trained staff on ultrasounds so gestational dating can be established as quickly as possible. Florida voters will decide in November whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, requiring a 60% majority for the amendment to pass. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)