Florida governor signs bill that protects unborn babies from six weeks in the womb

Image Credit: Ron DeSantis via Twitter

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law last Thursday which would protect the right to life for most unborn babies after six weeks in the womb.

According to Live Action, the HB7 bill sought to ban abortion after six weeks gestation, with the exceptions of rape or incest, or if the mother’s health is at risk. It was passed 70-40 by lawmakers in the Florida House last week, with seven Republicans opposing the bill alongside the Democrats. In an attempt to slow the bill, Democrats introduced 50 amendments to the bill, but all attempts had failed. The bill was then given to Governor Ron DeSantis who then signed it into law.

“Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families,” said Governor DeSantis on his twitter upon signing the bill.

Signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, which expands pro-life protections and devotes resources to help young mothers and families. pic.twitter.com/quZpSj1ZPk
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 14, 2023

It is, however, unclear when the bill will go into effect, as the current abortion law in Florida allows abortion until 15-weeks. This law is currently in the midst of a legal challenge, thus the implementation of the HB7 bill is dependent on whether the Supreme Court in Florida will uphold the states abortion law.

Those who opposed the bill had made claims that prohibition of abortion would put women’s lives at risk, despite the bill allowing for abortion in cases of when the mothers health or life is at risk. 

However, doctors, such as renowned former abortionist turned pro-life Dr Anthony Levatino, have refuted that claim, reiterating that abortion is not medically necessary. In an interview with Live Action’s Lila Rose, Dr Levatino informed viewers that not only has he never had to perform an abortion in order to save a mother’s life, but that the abortion procedure could be more harmful due to it being a longer and thus riskier process than an emergency c-section.

It is also important to note that there is a difference between the deliberate ending of the life of the child via an abortion and a medical intervention which may indirectly result in the death of the baby. As Dr Levatino points out, whilst sadly, not all babies survived the medical intervention which saved the mother’s life, these babies at the very least had a chance at survival, whereas abortion would give them no chance.

Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka and co-sponsor of the HB7 bill, expressed the bill would not prevent any medical intervention for pregnant women. “Nothing in this bill or current law will prevent a woman whose health or life is at risk from seeking an abortion,” she said. “If anyone tells you differently, they are misinformed.”

“For the past 50 years, we’ve had a culture grow in this nation — a culture of abortion for any reason at any time,” she said, speaking on the bill. “Today we lead. Today we stand for life. We stand with mothers, and we stand with Florida families. And by your vote today, we change the culture of abortion to a culture of life.”

Rep. Jennifer Canady, who also co-sponsored the bill commented: “Here in the state of Florida, we care deeply about life,” she said. “And we care about the very most vulnerable in our society: babies in the womb.”