© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

AHCA Tells Planned Parenthood It Believes Some Abortions Still Illegal

Florida’s healthcare agency is doubling down on claims three Southwest Florida planned parenthood offices performed unlicensed abortions. The moves comes a day after lawyers for the Agency for Healthcare Administration seemed to back down from that assertion.

In a letter Tuesday to planned parenthood Florida attorneys, the agency for healthcare administration appeared to agree with the group’s assertion that abortions done within 14 weeks are still 1st term. The 14-week benchmark is outlined in state rules. But Wednesday, AHCA back-tracked, and in another letter, reiterated it believes abortions done around 13-weeks fall in the second trimester.

AHCA cited the three planned parenthood clinics limited to first trimester procedures, for performing abortions around that timeframe. Planned Parenthood of Central and Southwest Florida sued Monday to stop the agency from imposing fines.

The fight erupted after Governor Rick Scott ordered inspections of abortion clinics.

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Lynn has served as reporter/producer for WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She is an award-winning member of the Capital Press Corps and has participated in the NPR Kaiser Health News Reporting Partnership and NPR Education Initiative. 

Find complete bio, contact info, and more stories here.