Florida Access Network responds to the closure of American Family Planning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2022
Contact: Stephanie Loraine
Email: info@flaccessnetwork.org
Phone: Due to ongoing harassment we do not publish a phone number for media requests
Florida Access Network responds to the closure of American Family Planning
All folks should have access to quality abortion care in their community free from stigma and political interference.
(Orlando, FL) - Abortion Funds and practical support organizations make abortion access a reality for their communities everyday. At Florida Access Network, we are deeply concerned about the reasons behind the closure of American Family Planning today. Given the concerns raised in the reports from AHCA we align with the decision to close an abortion clinic that failed it’s patients for not providing the quality care people need and deserve. This does NOT however reflect the majority of abortion providers around the country who provide life-saving and life-changing abortion care in their communities.
“The decision to suspend this clinic should not be used as a political opportunity to adopt additional clinic regulations. People deserve abortion care in their community that is high quality, safe, stigma free and inclusive of all identities. The closure of this clinic is a failure to the people of Pensacola and surrounding communities who have been forced to rely on this clinic for their abortion services because abortion care was not readily available where they live due to abortion bans and a political climate fueled by abortion misinformation and abortion stigma.”
- Stephanie Loraine Pineiro, Co-Director of Florida Access Network
Abortion providers already follow rigorously developed standards to protect patients which is effective. The fact is abortion is an extremely safe medical procedure and only 0.3% of abortion patients in the United States experience a major complication that requires hospitalization. Medical professionals in any practice who don’t meet basic health and safety standards should not be allowed to operate.
All folks should have access to quality abortion care in their community free from stigma and political interference. Abortion clinics and their providers are required to comply with federal and state safety standards. Federal standards include those set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988; state regulations include building fire codes, professional licensing standards and continuing education requirements.
When choosing any healthcare provider we encourage those to make the best decision for their healthcare and their lives; you can search for your chosen provider or facility on the AHCA website. We recommend going to clinics that are members of NAF, Planned Parenthood, or Abortion Care Network to ensure you’re going to a clinic with access to abortion funding resources and provide quality, stigma-free abortion care. To find an abortion clinic closest to you visit iNeedanabortion.com. American Family Planning was not a member of any of the above-recommended resources.
For more information or to schedule an interview, Stephanie Loraine at info@flaccessnetwork.org or complete a Media Request form here.
