Florida health regulators issued two emergency rules on Thursday in response to what they described as a misleading campaign of disinformation by the media, the Biden Administration, and advocacy groups following the implementation of the state’s six-week abortion restrictions. The rules aim to address immediate dangers to the health and safety of pregnant women and unborn babies by ensuring that healthcare providers establish proper medical record procedures to protect both mothers and their unborn babies during emergencies.
Specifically, the rules focus on medical conditions that can arise after six weeks of pregnancy, such as premature rupture of membranes, ectopic pregnancies, and trophoblastic tumors. The rules clarify that treating these conditions will not be considered abortions. Hospitals are required to maintain written policies and procedures for the treatment of these life-threatening conditions.
Additionally, the rules mandate that abortion clinics and facilities performing abortions submit monthly reports to the agency or face fines. The regulations are part of Florida’s Heartbeat Protection Act, which went into effect following a ruling by the state Supreme Court upholding the 15-week abortion restriction. The emergency rules align with similar efforts in other states to combat misinformation and provide guidance on abortion issues.
