JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Starting this Friday, women in Florida will be required to have an ultrasound done by a doctor before having an abortion, a bill Gov. Rick Scott signed into law last Friday.
It's a law the CEO of First Coast Women's Services, Judy Weber, thinks will make a positive difference.
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According to Weber, 85 percent of women who have an ultrasound before an abortion change their mind.
Stacy Fox, the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northeast Florida, fought against the law, mostly because it requires the woman having the abortion to pay for the ultrasound.
"Legislators shouldn't be practicing medicine," Fox said. "Unfortunately, this puts a huge burden on women and will increase the cost of a legal procedure in Florida."
Most abortions already include an ultrasound, but Weber said many of the women she helps aren't allowed to see it.
Oklahoma is the only other state that requires ultrasounds before abortions.
Fox said she'll fight to repeal Florida's law.
"This is just really politicians interfering with a doctor-patient relationship and making a requirement that doesn't need to be made," she said.
There is an exception to the law for women who are victims of rape, domestic violence or human sex trafficking. They are not required to have an ultrasound when having an abortion.