Palm Beach Post (Florida)

October 24, 2024 Thursday

1 Edition

As both a husband and father, my greatest responsibility is to protect and support my family. As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, that responsibility extends to fighting for policies that ensure the safety, prosperity and freedom of all Floridians. I want my wife and daughter to have access to the highest quality health care, but with Florida’s growing restrictions on abortion, I’m deeply concerned – not only for their future but for the millions of women, girls and survivors of sexual assault whose health care options are being stripped away.

For the past eight years, I have seen the Republican majority chip away at women’s reproductive health care year after year. The 2023 Legislative session’s assault on women’s health was unlike any I have witnessed before in my eight years in the Florida House. At a historic pace, a 6-week abortion ban was discussed, voted on, passed, and signed into law.

Limitations on women’s health care are dangerous for women and put health care providers in impossible positions. In Florida, due to the six-week ban, we are witnessing a mass exodus of medical professionals, and practicing OB-GYN’s have indicated it is increasingly more challenging to practice safely and offer the level of care they want for their patients. Couple that with the governor’s office using public agencies to target individuals and organizations who are supporting Amendment 4 politically, it begs the question: Do medical professionals risk being targeted for providing abortions, even within the six-week time frame?

Health care decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor, not by politicians. Women should be able to trust their doctors to provide the best care possible, and girls should grow up knowing they have the right to make decisions about their own bodies.

Amendment 4, the Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, is our chance to stop this dangerous trend. The amendment 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.” It will ensure that abortion is legal until viability, and stop government overreach into private medical decisions. I want every woman in Florida to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can get the care they need, when they need it, without interference from politicians.

Amendment 4 is about ensuring Florida’s health care system remains strong, our doctors can do their jobs without fear, and patients’ health is a priority.

The overwhelming majority of Floridians believe we should have the freedom to make our own personal health care decisions without interference from politicians. I’m proud to support Amendment 4, and I hope you’ll join me in voting to restore reproductive freedom in Florida. Please vote YES on Amendment 4.

David Silvers is a state representative for District 89, which includes parts of West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs.

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David Silvers

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