BAG Blog
Your First Public Health Crisis
By Vanessa Davis-Frederick, Host and Director of the Impact Radio Show - Live on Thursdays at 8:30pm on VictoryWCGL 1360AM 94.7 FM | November 3, 2024
The stakes have never been higher for women’s health, particularly for women of color. The current six-week abortion ban passed by Florida politicians is a dangerous encroachment of the government on the private medical decisions between a woman and her doctor. We are suffering with this law, which restricts access to abortion before most women even realize they are pregnant. You all know this disproportionately impacts communities of color. As we face a public health crisis, this November’s vote offers a chance to change the future by supporting Amendment 4 and removing the politicians from our exam rooms.
Understanding the Current Ban
The six-week abortion ban currently in place in Florida allows for exceptions in cases of rape and incest, but only with official documentation. For many women, the barriers to accessing such documentation make securing the care they need practically impossible. Even more disturbing is the fact that Black women in Florida already face maternal mortality rates that are three times higher than those of our white sisters. The health risks associated with carrying a pregnancy to term—particularly for women of color—are far greater than the risks associated with abortion. Yet, this law forces many to endure those risks.
The law goes even further by threatening healthcare providers with third-degree felony charges if they perform an abortion after six weeks. These restrictions place a considerable burden on women and doctors alike, and they create a culture of fear where patients are more likely to face criminal charges for seeking out medical procedures.
Another reason Black Moms Should Be Concerned
For Black mothers, the consequences of this law are especially dire. With maternal mortality rates already so high in the community, reducing access to safe and legal abortions only compounds the risks. Research shows that limiting access to abortion doesn’t stop abortions from happening—it only makes them more dangerous. Women will be forced to carry pregnancies to term under life-threatening conditions, or they may resort to unsafe methods to end their pregnancies. The physical, mental, and financial toll this takes on a person is unacceptable.
Moreover, as mothers, many women know the challenges of raising children while juggling work, education, and financial instability. Being forced into motherhood—or additional motherhood—because of restrictive laws makes it harder for families to thrive. Our communities are already navigating systemic racism in healthcare, housing, education, and employment. Adding more barriers only deepens the inequities.
Governor DeSantis and The Florida Freedom Fund
Governor Ron DeSantis and friends have created The Florida Freedom Fund to oppose both the marijuana and abortion initiatives, signaling his commitment to keeping these restrictive laws in place. But the name of this fund is misleading. It’s not about freedom—it’s about control. The six-week ban is an extreme measure that strips away the freedom of women to make their own decisions, instead placing it in the hands of politicians who don’t understand or care about the complexities of women’s health. This man is sick, making his lawyers shake down TV stations is crazy!
We in Florida know what’s at stake, and so does he. We see the impact of inadequate healthcare in our communities, and we understand that reproductive rights are about more than just abortion—they’re about our ability to build and sustain healthy families. Amendment 4 is our chance to fight back against the criminalization of healthcare and restore dignity to women’s medical decisions.
Voting for Amendment 4: Taking Back Our Medical Decisions
This November, voters in Florida have the power to change the direction of women’s health in the state by voting yes on Amendment 4. This critical measure would reverse the six-week abortion ban, returning the right to make private medical decisions to women and their doctors. It’s about keeping the government out of our private rooms and ensuring that women can decide what’s best for their families and their futures.
Amendment 4 is also an opportunity to reject the measures that criminalize doctors and endanger women’s lives. While some argue it goes too far, it strikes a balance between protecting parental rights and expanding healthcare options for women. By allowing more healthcare providers to be part of the decision-making process, this amendment ensures that women receive the care they need at a critical time.
Let’s not forget that this initiative was brought to the ballot by regular people, just like us, who collected signatures in their communities. Recognizing that Floridians deserve better than a law that disregards women’s health and autonomy supports a movement to protect the health of our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.
A Call to Action
Let’s take a stand for the health and future of our communities. Voting yes on Amendment 4 will help end the extreme abortion ban and ensure that women’s private medical decisions are made between them and their doctors—not politicians. It’s about ensuring that our daughters grow up in a state where they have access to safe, compassionate healthcare.
We can end Florida’s public health crisis and work toward a future where every woman has the freedom to make the right decisions for her body and her family. Let’s vote for our health, our freedom, and our future.
References:
- Ballotpedia. (2024). Florida Amendment 4, Right to Abortion Initiative (2024). Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://ballotpedia.org.
- Florida Division of Elections. Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://dos.elections.myflorida.com.
- NBC 6 South Florida. (2024, July 16). Financial statement for Florida abortion amendment faces backlash. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from https://www.nbcmiami.com.
- Tampa Bay Times. (2024, October 21). DeSantis health lawyer resigned to avoid threatening more TV stations. Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://www.tampabay.com.
- Suarez, C., Royal, D., & Forrest, J. (2024, April 2). Florida six-week abortion ban will soon become law, but voters will consider a constitutional amendment this fall. CNN. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from https://www.cnn.com.
- CBS Miami. (2024, April 5). Gov. DeSantis calls abortion, marijuana ballot amendments too “radical” to pass. CBS Miami. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/.
- Lizza, R. (2024, April 6). Abortion Might Be a Winning Issue — Even in Florida. Politico Magazine. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.politico.com.
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