Georgia’s position as a regional destination for abortion access in the Southeast came into force about six weeks before many people knew they were pregnant, with state restrictions banning most abortions. It is subject to change now.
On Wednesday, a federal court in Atlanta enacted a 2019 law.
The lower court had previously blocked it for constitutional reasons. Nevertheless, when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed the case after the Supreme Court recently overturned the protection of the Roe v. Wade case, the 11th Circuit Court ruled that Georgia law could come into effect. I gave it.
As a result, overnight, Georgia became one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.
Abortion is prohibited when electrical activity is detected in the womb.
Abortion providers in the state say they will continue to treat patients within the limits of the newly enacted procedures.
Kwagerin Jackson, director of the Feminist Women’s Health Center, says patients seeking an abortion must meet the six-week cutoff confirmed by ultrasonography.
“It will be a measure of whether someone can have an abortion,” she said.
“We will continue to provide abortion care for up to 6 weeks. If no heart activity is detected, we will continue to manage miscarriage. We will continue to support patients, close doors and dismiss staff. , I believe we can continue it without interrupting programming. “
This map reflects the state’s abortion policy in force as of July 20, 2022. / Guttmacher Institute.
The state ban after six weeks means that after that cutoff, those seeking selective abortion will be forced to travel long distances for the procedure.
So thousands of patients from other, more restrictive nearby states who may have traveled to Georgia for treatment will do so.
Only southeastern Florida and North Carolina offer abortions six weeks after pregnancy. This procedure is allowed in North Carolina for approximately 24 weeks until the fetus is alive. And Florida allows it for up to 15 weeks.
Georgia’s Abortion Law provides for some exceptions, including miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
The law also recognizes the so-called “personality” rights of embryos and fetuses at all stages of development.
