From personal loss to public advocacy: Protecting reproductive rights in Florida | Commentaries

As a Florida State representative and a lifelong advocate for personal freedoms, I find myself reflecting on a deeply personal journey that parallels the ongoing debate over reproductive rights. Two years have passed since the landmark  Dobbs v. Jackson Women›s Health Organization  case that overturned Roe v Wade, yet the struggle for autonomy over our bodies continues to resonate profoundly with me.

In the past few years, my family and I faced many painful and heart-wrenching decisions as my father battled aggressive colon and liver cancer. We navigated several surgeries, rounds of chemotherapy, and eventually hospice care. The heavy responsibility of making treatment decisions rested solely with us—his loved ones who knew him best.

The government, the governor, and the legislature were not involved or expected to be present in the hospital room as we made these deeply personal choices about his health. This same principle should apply to the deeply personal decisions women make regarding their reproductive health care.

Currently, in Florida, an extreme abortion ban is in effect because of Donald Trump and his MAGA allies in the Florida legislature. This law restricts abortion access before many women even know they are pregnant, severely limiting reproductive health care for women across the South.

My advocacy centers on the fundamental principles of privacy and the government’s obligation to stay out of personal decisions. Simply put, the government needs to mind its own business.

This November, Floridians will have the chance to vote on a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in our state constitution. However, regardless of the outcome, if he’s re-elected Donald Trump would take action to ban abortion nationwide, including in Florida. To protect and restore our reproductive freedoms, we must reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris.

Dignity and respect

I remember what seemed like endless discussions with our doctors, the late-night family consultations, and the agonizing decisions we made in those final months. Our ability to navigate those challenging times with dignity and respect for my father’s wishes highlighted the importance of personal autonomy in health matters.

As we mark the second anniversary of  Dobbs, I am reminded that the right to choose extends beyond medical treatments—it encompasses the fundamental right to control one’s own body and future. Just as my family was empowered to make decisions in my father’s best interest, women must be empowered to make decisions about their own bodies without government interference.

The parallels between my father’s journey and the fight for reproductive rights are stark. Both scenarios demand compassion, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to individual freedom. To deny women the right to make choices about their own reproductive health is to strip them of their autonomy and dignity—values we hold dear in our personal lives and should uphold in our policies.

As legislators, it is our duty to protect and uphold the freedoms that define our democracy. We must ensure that every individual has the right to make their own medical decisions in consultation with their healthcare provider, free from political interference. Just as I could not imagine outsiders dictating my father’s health care choices, it’s hard to believe that we live in a society where women are denied the same agency over their bodies. But here we are. 

As a postscript, on Father’s Day, June 18, 2023, my dad passed away peacefully, with grace and dignity. Let us honor all those confronted with challenging health decisions by steadfastly supporting all health care rights, including reproductive health care rights. It is imperative that we prioritize compassionate health care access over political interference. 

Florida House Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis represents the 40th House District overseeing parts of Orange County. The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Florida Courier.