Florida

Florida prepares for Roe v. Wade decision

Decision (zimmytws/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The nation is anxiously awaiting a decision on Roe v. Wade from the Supreme Court. Tomorrow is one of the final days for decisions to be released, which has many people wondering—can a decision be reached?

Amber Gavin with A Woman’s Choice says they have been anxiously anticipating the decision.

“We’ve been anticipating that Roe is going to be overturned. Every decision day we have a pit in our stomach and anticipation and waiting.”

RELATED: Florida Senate passes 15-week abortion ban

The Supreme Court has a few days listed as opinion issuance days. On Friday, June 24, or the day they choose the following week, they could release the opinion on Roe v. Wade.

Anthony Verdugo, the founder of Christian Family Coalition, explained, “It would appear that with this decision is going to do is turn this issue back to the states.”

A leaked draft of the opinion showed the court will most likely overturn Roe v. Wade. It explained abortion won’t be illegal. It will also still be legal to get an abortion in Jacksonville.

The draft argues, in Justice Alito’s words, that the ruling on abortion should be left up to the states (page 31), and that the right to an abortion is not deeply rooted in our nation’s history (page 24).

“It’s going to allow each state to decide,” Verdugo said. He added his group will be working with legislators.

RELATED: Clinics challenge Florida’s 15-week abortion limit

“We’re going to be working with legislators to help draft language to see, depending on the parameters that have been set forth, how we can best move forward to protect lives in Florida.”

While he says anti-abortion clinics and even adoption centers will see an uptick, a pro-abortion rights group in Jacksonville says nearly the opposite.

“We’re preparing to see an influx of patients from surrounding states,” Gavin told me.

A Woman’s Choice expects even more women will be turning to them for help.

“We are trying to hire more staff, we are hiring more doctors to join our team, and we are adding additional hours into our clinic days.”

RELATED: If Roe falls, some DAs won’t enforce anti-abortion laws

In Florida, women have to wait 24 hours to have the procedure and have two doctor’s appointments. Starting July 1, abortions can only take place for up to 15 weeks.

“The majority of people who get an abortion are already parents. and so they know exactly what it takes to raise a child, they know the toll it takes on their body and what it means for their family,” Gavin said.


[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.

0