In 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law at Nacion de Fe church in Kissimmee, Florida, banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The Guardian
Florida Republican Congresswoman Kat Cammack faced a life-threatening situation in May 2024 when doctors diagnosed her with an ectopic pregnancy. She was five weeks along, and there was no heartbeat. Her condition required urgent care.
Doctors decided she needed a shot of methotrexate, a drug that ends ectopic pregnancies safely. But they hesitated. Florida’s strict six-week abortion ban had just started. Medical staff feared punishment or losing their licenses if they gave the drug.
Cammack searched Florida’s abortion law on her phone. She showed it to doctors and even tried calling the governor’s office. After several hours, they finally gave her the treatment.
A Pro-Life Politician Faces a Hard Truth
Cammack has always opposed abortion. She co-leads the House pro-life caucus. Still, she blames the delay in her care on what she calls “fearmongering” from abortion rights groups. She says their messaging caused confusion and panic among healthcare providers.
“It was absolute fearmongering at its worst,” Cammack said. She also admitted that abortion rights supporters might view her story differently. She said, “There will be some comments like, ‘Well, thank God we have abortion services,’ even though what I went through wasn’t an abortion.”
She later explained that while she didn’t need an abortion, the fear surrounding Florida’s law created a dangerous delay in her care.
Florida’s Abortion Law Raises Concerns
Florida’s new law, effective May 1, 2024, bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Most people don’t even know they’re pregnant by that time. The law caused confusion among healthcare workers. Many feared that even emergency treatments could lead to jail time.
Months later, Florida health officials gave clearer guidelines. They confirmed that doctors could treat patients whose lives were in danger. Still, critics say it came too late.
Abortion rights advocates say the law caused major problems. Florida regulators claim ectopic pregnancies aren’t abortions and are not restricted. But experts point out that the law doesn’t clearly define what counts as an ectopic pregnancy.
Molly Duane from the Center for Reproductive Rights said this lack of detail puts patients at risk. Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy isn’t always simple, and unclear rules can cause dangerous delays.
Doctors Are Still Worried
Alison Haddock, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, said early pregnancy care is complex. Doctors in states with strict abortion laws worry about being prosecuted, even when making life-saving decisions.
She said some doctors fear their judgment may not hold up in court if questioned later.
Cammack Wants Unity on Emergency Care
Now pregnant again and due soon, Cammack says she hopes her story can bring people together. She believes both political sides should agree on making emergency care safe and fast.
“I would stand with any woman – Republican or Democrat – and fight for them to be able to get care in a situation where they are experiencing a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy,” she said.
