Florida

New data reveals surge in Florida abortions before 6-week law took effect

The six-week limit is expected to dramatically reduce the number of abortions performed in the state.

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Florida abortion providers and activists are girding for a law that will take effect Wednesday and prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, severely limiting access to abortion for women in the state and across the Southeast.

More than 22,000 abortions were performed in Florida this year before a law took effect May 1 preventing abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Newly posted data on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website showed a reported 22,409 abortions had been performed as of May 1. That was up from 14,735 abortions a month earlier.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Legislature passed the six-week limit last year, and it took effect after the Florida Supreme Court ruled April 1 that a privacy clause in the state Constitution does not apply to abortion rights.

The six-week limit is expected to dramatically reduce the number of abortions performed in the state.

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Voters in November will decide whether to approve a ballot proposal that would enshrine abortion rights in the Constitution.

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