Florida physician laments Amendment 4 abortion initiative as 'wolf in sheep's clothing'

ORLANDO, Fla. - Dr. Tamberly McCarus, a board-certified OB/GYN, criticized Florida's Amendment 4 ballot measure that would enshrine abortion rights in the state as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" on Monday.

“Every Floridian should carefully read and understand what the amendment does and does not say,” Tamberly McCarus said in a press release. “Amendment 4 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is too extreme, it is too radical, and it simply goes way too far for Florida.”

Her criticism was echoed at a press conference by over 400 members of Florida Physicians Against Amendment 4. The 400-member coalition states providing excellent patient care for women, children, and families.

Among its concerns, Florida Phyicians Against Amendment 4 claimed the measure is "deceptive, dangerous, and too extreme for Florida." It also said the said the amendment is “overreaching, too permissive, and irresponsible.”

Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared similar remarks, calling the amendment "built on fraud."

The coalition also argued the measure would remove crucial protections for women, children, and families, including protections from late term abortions through nine months of pregnancy. Moreover, they noted the initiative would grant non licensed medical doctors to perform abortions and eliminate parental consent for minors.

“Amendment 4 allows non-doctors to perform abortions,” board certified OB/GYN Dr. Ana Verdeja said.  “It deceptively removes the words ‘physician’ and ‘doctor,’ and replaces them with ‘healthcare provider’ – a non-physician who is not capable and not trained to treat the potentially deadly complications of abortion."

The coalition further listed Amendment 4 would remove common-sense maternal health and safety regulations. On the other hand, Florida Democrats have pushed for Amendment 4, calling the state's abortion laws 'restrictive' and 'extreme'.

"This is not good healthcare for any woman or any child. Amendment 4 puts women’s lives in the wrong hands, in perhaps their most vulnerable moments," Verdeja added.