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Florida legislature sends bill requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges and cutting off all funding to abortion clinics to Governor Scott

Mar 9, 2016

By Dave Andrusko

Sen. Kelli Stargel

Sen. Kelli Stargel

Florida is on the verge of joining the growing number of states that require abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Such a requirement is one of the issues before the Supreme Court in the case of HB2, the 2013 omnibus pro-life Texas law.

Earlier today, HB 1411 passed the Florida state Senate, 25-15. The measure was slightly different than the House’s version but the House quickly voted in favor by a vote of 76-40 .

HB 1411 also addresses the issue of funding of abortion. According to the Tampa Bay Tribune, pro-life legislators do not want any Medicaid money going to abortion clinics. Michael Auslen reported

Antiabortion advocates in the Legislature assert that’s tantamount to supporting abortions. Instead, they want that money to be spent in other kinds of clinics, like crisis pregnancy centers and federally qualified health centers.

“The idea that those taxpayer dollars would go to an organization that performs abortions is simply intolerable,” Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, said.

They further argue that tougher rules are necessary to bring abortion clinics in line with other health care facilities, like ambulatory care centers.

“This bill says we’re going to treat abortion clinics the same way that we treat other similarly situated clinics,” said Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, the bill’s sponsor. …

The bill would make tougher restrictions against improperly disposing of fetal remains.

Pro-life Gov. Rick Scott

Pro-life Gov. Rick Scott

According to Auslen, the law “was also brought about in the wake of controversy over videos released online appearing to show Planned Parenthood doctors in other states talking about a fetal remains donation program.” This is a casual reference to the undercover videos taken by the Center for Medical Progress which raised many other concerns as well.

In addition, as NRL News Today reported previously, last month the 1st District Court of Appeals lifted an injunction that prevented Florida’s 24-hour waiting period from taking effect.

“In its decision, the three-judge panel contended that a circuit judge did not have enough facts or evidence to support blocking the law,” according to the AP.

Florida Right to Life, NRLC’s state affiliate, explained the background to HB 633.

The new 24 hour waiting period, in effect in thirty states, follows normal elective medical practice guidelines which require a consultation before scheduling outpatient surgery. This bill cracks down on shoddy medical practices which run patients though abortion mills at a high rate to earn more profit.

As more abortion clinics around Florida close and abortionists abandon their practices, the problem of factory-style abortion clinic practices is sure to grow. This bill will ensure that the safety of women is enhanced, and that the right to informed consent is fully protected in a deliberative manner.

Categories: Legislation