On November 5th, Floridians will make an important decision—one that will affect the future of our state for generations. And no, I’m not referring to the presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The decision I’m talking about is whether to enshrine irresponsible abortion protections in our state constitution through Amendment 4.
For some, this may be the first time you’ve heard of it. Here is the full text of the amendment:
“Limiting government interference with abortion.— Except as provided in Article X, Section 22, 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.”
This amendment, while brief, carries weighty implications. Its simplicity belies its potential to drastically alter our state’s approach to the protection of unborn life. If passed, Amendment 4 would create a constitutional right to abortion before viability. But here’s the catch: viability is not defined. Without definition, it leaves the door open to subjective interpretation, allowing abortions at any point during pregnancy. In essence, the amendment opens the door to abortions up until the moment of birth. Can we, in good conscience, allow such a possibility to be etched into the highest legal document of our state?
Eroding the Safeguards We Already Have
What many voters may not realize is that we already have important protections in place that balance the difficult realities surrounding abortion with the need to protect life. Amendment 4 would obliterate those safeguards.
Here are some of the current protections surrounding abortion in Florida:
- Parental consent is required before a minor can have an abortion, ensuring that parents are involved in such a major decision.
- Only a licensed physician is authorized to perform abortions, ensuring a level of medical professionalism and oversight.
- Physicians are required to report known or suspected cases of human trafficking of adults.
- Physicians must report known or suspected cases of rape, incest, or human trafficking of minors, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the protection they need.
- Telehealth is not allowed for abortions, meaning physicians cannot mail abortion-inducing medications. They must see their patients in person, ensuring proper care.
- The Agency for Health Care Administration ensures that abortion clinics operate under strict regulations to provide for the safety of women and children.
These protections were put in place to safeguard women and children while recognizing the gravity of the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Amendment 4 would remove these critical protections, turning a blind eye to the need for parental involvement, licensed medical professionals, and protections for victims of trafficking. I believe many who support abortion would agree that the removal of these protections is not in the best interest of women or children. That’s why I’m making this appeal to all Floridians, not simply to Christians.
Life-Saving Exceptions Already Exist
Furthermore, under current Florida law, there are exceptions to abortion restrictions that recognize the tragic and difficult circumstances some women face. These exceptions include:
- When a physician determines that termination of pregnancy is necessary to save the woman’s life.
- When there is a serious risk of physical impairment or damage to a major bodily function.
- For victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking, ensuring that those who have suffered unimaginable trauma have options.
These exceptions account for the fact that not all pregnancies are the same and that some circumstances are tragic and require medical intervention. But Amendment 4 does not offer this level of nuance or compassion and eliminates important distinctions that ensure care for both mother and child.
The Risks Hidden Behind Undefined Terms
Another troubling aspect is the amendment’s allowance for abortion “to protect the patient’s health.” The term “health” remains ambiguous. Would this only apply to life-threatening circumstances, or could it extend to emotional distress, anxiety, or other non-physical factors? While mental health is a serious concern, it should not become a vague and convenient justification for ending a child’s life.
Who Decides?
Perhaps most alarming is the amendment’s reliance on the opinion of a “healthcare provider” to make these critical decisions. The amendment lacks any stipulation as to what kind of healthcare provider qualifies. Does this need to be a licensed physician, or could the determination be left to someone less qualified? How much less qualified? Worse still, would this amendment create an incentive for unscrupulous providers to profit from rubber-stamping abortion requests for financial gain? The risk is real, and we cannot afford to ignore it.
A Stark Reality
Organizations like Planned Parenthood are pouring millions of dollars into promoting this amendment because their bottom line depends on it. Abortion is not a side service for them; it is a major revenue stream. If Amendment 4 passes, Florida would become a prime destination for those seeking abortions, turning our state into a hub for an industry built on the destruction of innocent life.1
Florida Must Stand for Life
Floridians, we have an opportunity to take a stand—not just against this amendment, but for something far greater. We can stand for the dignity of both women and unborn children. Instead of allowing Florida to become a place where women’s health needs are ignored and unborn life is discarded for corporate profit, we can make our state a welcoming refuge for women and girls facing difficult circumstances.
What Can We Do?
We can support pregnancy centers that provide holistic care for women in crisis—centers that offer not only medical care but also counseling, support, and assistance with navigating the challenges of pregnancy and parenthood. These centers provide a lifeline for women abandoned by partners or family and help ensure that no woman walks through this difficult journey alone.
But none of this will matter if we allow the floodgates to open by passing Amendment 4. Once enshrined in our constitution, it will be nearly impossible to reverse. This is why I am urging you to vote NO on Amendment 4. Together, we can protect the most vulnerable among us—both mother and child—and work toward a future where all human life is cherished and protected.
For more see www.informedchurch.org
- Planned Parenthood’s 2022-2023 annual report shows 392,715 abortions performed compared to 1,721 adoption referrals. ↩︎