A Florida court today permanently blocked the application of a law that establishes a waiting period of 24 hours before being able to perform an abortion so that the woman can rethink her decision.
Circuit Judge Terry Lewis ruled that the law represents an “inadmissible intrusion.
The enactment of that law, passed in the state Legislative Assembly, had already been temporarily slowed down last year by the Florida Supreme Court.
Nancy Abudu, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, called the rule “an insult to women,” which imposed medically unnecessary and harmful burdens, particularly on low-income patients.
The judge ruled in favor of an appeal filed by the ACLU, on behalf of a Gainesville abortion clinic.
The decision reaffirms that “politicians have nothing to object to a woman’s personal health care decisions, including the decision to have an abortion,” said Julia Kaye, an ACLU lawyer.
“Forcing a woman to delay her medical care is cruel and unconstitutional,” said Autumn Katz, a senior attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights.
“Women know what is best for their lives and their future and do not need politicians to interfere with their health care decisions,” he added.
