Fact Check: Florida's six-week abortion ban nearly killed Rep. Kat Cammack due to medical confusion.

Fact Check: "Florida's six-week abortion ban nearly killed Rep. Kat Cammack due to medical confusion."

What We Know

In May 2024, U.S. Representative Kat Cammack experienced a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. According to WUSF, she reported that medical professionals delayed administering necessary treatment due to confusion over Florida's newly enacted six-week abortion ban. This law, which went into effect on May 1, 2024, restricts most abortions after six weeks but does not explicitly prohibit the treatment of ectopic pregnancies, which are considered medical emergencies.

Cammack stated that during the delay, she sought clarification on the law, even contacting Governor Ron DeSantis' office for guidance. Ultimately, after hours of waiting, she received the treatment required to address her ectopic pregnancy, which was confirmed to be nonviable as the baby's heartbeat had stopped (HuffPost).

The incident has drawn attention to the potential implications of restrictive abortion laws on women's health care, with Cammack herself labeling the situation as "fearmongering" by activists that contributed to the medical confusion (Independent).

Analysis

The claim that Florida's six-week abortion ban nearly resulted in a life-threatening situation for Rep. Cammack is supported by multiple credible sources. The WUSF report details her experience and the hesitation of medical staff to act due to fears of legal repercussions under the new law. This aligns with Cammack's own statements, which highlight the confusion and fear among healthcare providers regarding the law's application to ectopic pregnancies.

Moreover, the HuffPost and Independent articles corroborate her account, emphasizing that the medical professionals involved were concerned about the legal ramifications of their actions, which delayed necessary care. The law's ambiguity regarding ectopic pregnancies appears to have created a chilling effect, leading to hesitation in providing timely medical treatment.

While Cammack is a Republican and a co-chair of the House pro-life caucus, her experience raises critical questions about the real-world consequences of strict abortion laws, particularly in cases where immediate medical intervention is necessary. The sources reporting on this incident are reputable and provide a balanced view of the implications of the law, making them reliable for evaluating the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that Florida's six-week abortion ban nearly killed Rep. Kat Cammack due to medical confusion is True. The evidence indicates that medical professionals delayed treatment for her ectopic pregnancy out of fear of legal consequences, which aligns with her own testimony and is supported by multiple credible news sources.

Fact Check: Florida's six-week abortion ban nearly killed Rep. Kat Cammack due to medical confusion.