Florida passes bills on abortion that could defund Planned Parenthood

Florida has become yet another state to defund Planned Parenthood. Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a law that cuts off state funding to clinics providing abortion and imposes abortion restrictions already being tested before the U.S. Supreme Court.

From the Courier Tribune:

Abortion clinics throughout Florida will go without taxpayer funds, face increased reporting requirements and new hurdles for doctors providing the procedure under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Rick Scott.

Scott, a Republican, did not make any comment on HB 1411, which was signed with 67 other bills, but the flood of statements from abortion rights and anti-abortion groups alternatively condemning and praising the move reflects the sharp divide over the issue.

“As a result of this bill, thousands of people across Florida may no longer be able to access essential reproductive health care, such as cancer screenings, birth control, and well-woman exams,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood. “This cruel bill is designed to rip health care away from those most at risk. Rick Scott has shown he will do all he can to strip basic care away from those who need it most.”

But John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, an Orlando-based social conservative advocacy group, hailed the bill as protecting women’s’ health, since more inspections will ensure greater quality care.

“This is a historic victory and we are thrilled to have been an active part of this effort,” Stemberger said.
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A Report by TampaBay.com reads:

Lawmakers wrote the new measure following last summer’s controversy over videos that appeared to show Planned Parenthood officials talking about their fetal tissue donation program.

The law redefines the trimesters of a pregnancy, validating claims by state regulators last summer alleging Florida’s Planned Parenthood sites violated their licenses. And the funding cuts could affect six Planned Parenthood clinics.

Years ago, a Planned Parenthood lobbyist said that allowing babies to die on the table after being aborted was between the “Doctor and their patient.”

Florida Planned Parenthood lobbyist Alisa LaPolt Snow testified against a ‘Born Alive’ infant protection bill that would give human rights to babies born after a botched abortion. She said doctors in abortion clinics should not be required to take such babies to a hospital, instead leaving the ‘choice’ of what to do up to them and their patients.

Other clinic regulations have also been proposed.

Starting July 1, abortion clinics will be required to have admitting privileges or transfer agreements with a nearby hospital. They also will face annual inspections by the state as part of a law that sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, said is about ensuring women’s safety.

“What we did with these clinics is just treat them similar to other surgery centers,” Stargel said.