West Palm Beach, FL—Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) released the following statement in response to reports a 15-year-old survivor of incest was denied abortion care due to Florida’s severe restrictions on access to abortion, even for victims of rape and incest. The young patient was forced to travel at least two states away to receive care, according to Planned Parenthood.

“I am horrified for this young girl for the trauma she has experienced, exacerbated by Florida Republicans’ dangerously restrictive abortion law,” said Rep. Frankel. “This young incest survivor should have been able to get necessary care in her hometown and not compelled to travel hundreds of miles away or face forced pregnancy.” 

Due to extreme abortion bans in Florida and other states across the country, patients are being forced to travel thousands of miles to receive the care they need. Rep. Frankel is a co-lead of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would enshrine a federal right to access abortion and prohibit states from interfering with that right. The House passed the bill in September 2021 and again in July 2022, but the Senate has failed to act both times.  

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