Florida Lawmakers Have An Opportunity to Take a Stand for Women’s Health

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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(West Palm Beach, FL) - On Monday afternoon, the Florida Legislature launched another attack on women and families when they passed two anti-choice bills out of the Senate Health Regulation Committee (SB 1414 and SB 1538 by an 8-4 vote). Sadly, Republican leadership is pushing this highly political and extreme agenda at great risk to women and their families.

 

SB 1414 introduced by Senator Wise (R-Jacksonville) is a “Stupak” like ban on abortion coverage in private health insurance plans.  If signed into law, it would unfairly deny a woman access to a full range of health care procedures even if she needs an abortion to protect her own physical health or when dealing with devastating fetal impairments.  “Health insurance should cover legal medical procedures, including abortion,” said Lillian Tamayo, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast. “Denying private insurance coverage for abortion especially when a woman’s health is at risk or when there are fetal impairments will result in a real hardship for women.  It’s time for our elected officials to stop playing politics with women’s health.”

 

Senators in the Health Regulation Committee also voted to pass SB 1538, introduced by Senator Flores (R-Miami), in an attempt to amend the Florida Constitution and deny women fundamental privacy rights. This extreme proposal will go much further than the Hyde Amendment by denying women access to abortion even in cases of rape and incest. The legislation also fails to protect women when their health is at risk or when they are dealing with fetal impairments. “Right now our Constitution protects our right to make private decisions,” said Tamayo.  “Let’s keep it that way.”

 

Planned Parenthood is urging members of the Florida Legislature to oppose these and other bills that will hurt women.  Legislators should focus on strengthening the economy and creating jobs, not wasting time on divisive social issues that do nothing to prevent unintended pregnancy.

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The mission of Planned Parenthood of South Florida and Treasure Coast, Inc. is to provide comprehensive sexual health care through the provision of clinical services, education and advocacy. We do so by understanding and responding to the needs of those seeking our services, and by protecting and respecting the essential privacy rights, dignity and culture of each individual.

www.ppsoflo.org