A coalition of Florida physicians has recently come together to oppose the state’s Amendment 4 initiative, urging voters to consider its potential consequences as it heads to the ballot in November.
Amendment 4, known as the Right to Abortion Initiative, is sponsored by the Sarasota-based group “Floridians Protecting Freedom.”
The amendment aims to overturn the state’s six-week abortion ban by enshrining abortion rights in Florida’s constitution. While some doctors support the measure, a growing number are raising concerns.
Doctors opposing the amendment primarily cite worries about its “vague” language. Dr. Ana Garcia Iguaran, an OB/GYN at Mater Dei Clinic in Ave Maria, expressed concerns to the Diocese of Venice in Florida, calling the amendment “misleading” and warning it could lead to “unlimited, unrestricted access to abortion.”
Read: Trump To Vote No On Florida Amendment 4 But Disagrees With 6-Week Limit “You Need More Time”
“The amendment’s language is misleading, suggesting it will provide healthcare for pregnant women,” Dr. Iguaran said. “But it would actually allow unlimited access to abortion, even for young girls, without parental consent.”
The ballot initiative states: “No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.”
Dr. Richard Sandler, who leads the group “Florida Physicians Against Amendment 4,” criticized the amendment’s wording as “deceptively vague” and warned about the influence of money and deception behind it.
Other physicians have voiced concerns about the impact on minors. Dr. Stephen Hannan, President of the Southwest Florida Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, pointed out that the amendment might only require notifying parents rather than obtaining full parental consent.
Read: Florida Abortion Measure Raises Nearly $1 Million In A Week
“Notification is not the same as consent,” Dr. Hannan said. “And the ballot summary doesn’t provide clear criteria for identifying a parent.”
Dr. Karen Liebert, an OB/GYN and Medical Director at Community Pregnancy Clinic in Sarasota, highlighted the risks of vague consent language, suggesting it could make it easier for traffickers and abusers to coerce girls into abortions.
“This amendment would make abortion the only medical procedure on a minor that doesn’t require parental consent in Florida,” Dr. Liebert warned. “It could enable abusers to more easily coerce girls into abortions by bypassing the need for parental involvement.”
Read: Florida Supreme Court Backs Revised ‘Financial Impact Statement’ For Abortion Amendment
The push for Amendment 4 followed Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing the Heartbeat Protection Act into law in 2023, making abortions after six weeks illegal in the state.
Sandler and his group plan to launch a campaign against the amendment, including billboards with photos of physicians advocating a “No on 4” vote, as well as social media outreach and engagement with churches.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.