Florida Agency Denies License for New Abortion Clinic in Pensacola
Background
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has denied a license for a new abortion clinic in Pensacola, Florida, despite a recommendation by an administrative law judge that the application should be approved.
Rejected Recommendation
In August, Administrative Law Judge Yolonda Green recommended that a license should be issued to July Medical Services, LLC, which operates as Hope Medical of Pensacola. The clinic applied in March 2023 to provide abortions and other services, such as ultrasounds, contraception, and counseling.
However, Agency Secretary Jason Weida signed a 49-page final order on Friday, citing a "pattern of deficient performance" at a now-closed Louisiana clinic with ties to the proposed Pensacola facility.
Pattern of Deficient Performance
The final order focused on the similarities between the now-closed June Medical LLC, a Shreveport, Louisiana clinic, and the proposed Pensacola facility. The AHCA reached out to the Louisiana Department of Health, which provided documents about deficiencies and alleged deficiencies at the Shreveport clinic from 2004 to 2021.
In her recommended order, Green said the Louisiana citations against the clinic "consisted of lack of documentation in personnel files, lack of board meeting minutes, and inadequate documentation to verify physician’s orders. Most of these violations were non-repeated offenses."
However, the final order concluded that the violations "reflect a clinic that, over the course of many years, could not get its act together. The agency concludes that these violations constitute a demonstrated pattern of deficient performance."
Connection to July Medical Services
The final order also focused on the role of July Medical Services owner Michael Rothrock, whose late mother, Robin Rothrock, founded the Louisiana clinic around 1980. Ownership of the Louisiana clinic went to Robin Rothrock’s estate, with her son becoming the executor in 2011.
The order also highlighted the role of July Medical Services administrator Kathaleen Pittman, who served as administrator of the Louisiana clinic.
Denial of License
The final order denied the license, concluding that the "pattern of deficient performance constitutes an ‘action’ by Mr. Rothrock as a controlling interest of July Medical. June Medical’s demonstrated pattern of deficient performance is therefore legally sufficient grounds to deny July Medical’s license application."
Controversy and Political Background
The denial of the license comes amid a fierce political battle in Florida about abortion issues. In November, voters will decide whether to pass a ballot initiative, known as Amendment 4, that would enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who has signed a law that prevents abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, is helping lead efforts to fight the ballot initiative. The Agency for Health Care Administration has also been embroiled in a controversy about information it has posted about abortion on a website and in video public-service announcements.
Critics contend the information is biased and inaccurate and is part of efforts to defeat the ballot initiative. The agency has contended the information presents facts.
Conclusion
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration has denied a license for a new abortion clinic in Pensacola, citing a "pattern of deficient performance" at a now-closed Louisiana clinic. The decision comes amid a fierce political battle in Florida about abortion issues and a forthcoming ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the ballot initiative that will be decided in November?
A: The initiative, known as Amendment 4, would enshrine abortion rights in the Florida state Constitution.
Q: Who is behind the efforts to fight the ballot initiative?
A: Governor Ron DeSantis and other anti-abortion groups are leading the effort to defeat the initiative.
Q: Why did the Agency for Health Care Administration post information about abortion on its website?
A: The agency contended the information presents facts about abortion. Critics argue it is biased and inaccurate and part of efforts to defeat the ballot initiative.
