[Bobdreamz]

Florida governor signs law ending funding to clinics providing abortions.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. | BY BILL COTTERELL

Florida Governor Rick Scott on Friday signed a law that cuts off state funding for preventive health services to clinics providing abortion and imposes abortion restrictions already being tested before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Florida is among many states adopting new abortion laws as conservatives seek to chip away at the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Scott signed 68 new laws and issued statements on some non-controversial bills on Friday but did not comment on the abortion statute.

The bill, which easily passed the Republican-controlled legislature earlier this month, has been the target of television advertisements by Planned Parenthood and protests at the Capitol by women urging a veto.

John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, called the law "a historic victory," in a statement.

State funding of abortion was already prohibited, but the new law also blocks money for services for low-income women at the clinics.

It also requires doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital - a type of formal affiliation that can be difficult to obtain - within a "reasonable" distance of clinics.

In addition, the law requires annual inspection of clinics by health authorities and tightened rules on disposal of aborted fetal tissue.

"For Rick Scott to prioritize political pandering over his own constituents' access to healthcare is more than cynical. It's shameful," Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, said in a statement.

She predicted HIV rates will "skyrocket" and teenage pregnancies will rise because women will lose access to regular treatment at state-funded clinics.

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a challenge to a similar law in Texas, where several clinics have closed because of new restrictions.

Legislative sponsors in Florida argued that the law was not meant to shutter clinics but protect women with new safety rules.

The law takes effect July 1 but will probably be challenged in court quickly. Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said he was not surprised the governor signed the bill.

"He claims to be for small government, pro-freedom and opposed to putting government in between people and their doctors – except when it comes to Florida's women," said Simon.

Another Florida law passed last year, requiring women to wait 24 hours before getting an abortion, recently took effect and faces a continued legal challenge.


I love how PUKES are for "Individual Liberties" yet they want to control the bodies of WOMEN & now have "Religious Liberties" bills being passed in Georgia & North Carolina to discriminate against Gays!

They only care about "their" religious beliefs which are exclusionary just like the Taliban!

[Happiness-is-close]

They don't want people to have access to abortion or birth control. This whole issue is the #1 thing Republicans are down right stupid on.

Making abortions more difficult to obtain doesn't stop them from happening, it only makes them happen in less safe circumstances. I couldn't imagine what I would do to myself if something was growing inside me that I didn't want. Like a parasite sucking my life out of me. Yuck. Yet some guy who a UFO clearly beamed down in Tallahassee wants to tell a woman what to do with her body and to deny her the access to control her own body.

[Bobdreamz]

Source : Florida governor signs law ending funding to clinics providing abortions | Reuters

[RedneckRebel]

If you don't like it, move to another state.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by RedneckRebel

If you don't like it, move to another state.

Americans, free people that they are, move somewhere and then work through the political process to make the place suitable to them; this has been going on since the birth of our nation. If you don't like it you can move to another country.

[RedneckRebel]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Americans, free people that they are, move somewhere and then work through the political process to make the place suitable to them. If you don't like that you can move to another country.

There are plenty of states in this country where they dont have to be bitter (California and NY come to mind). No reason they have to come here and try to destroy the culture we have valued for so long. Florida is obviously not a suitable place for these people. There is no reason for them to be here and be unhappy.

[Restrain]

PP argues that the funding cuts services to women. On the flip side, PP does not do mammograms (they erroneously argue that they do in public but admit in filings that no facility does). They get 85% of their money from the performing of abortions.

Bottom line is that there are public health facilities that already provide health services, family planning, etc and PP, who is the primary beneficiary of abortion funding, is primarily an abortion provider, not a health care provider.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by RedneckRebel

There are plenty of states in this country where they dont have to be bitter (California and NY come to mind). No reason they have to come here and try to destroy the culture we have valued for so long.

There's plenty of reason. I came here because I like the weather, the beach and the history. And I intend to use my political rights to try to make this place as I'd like it to be. I neither need nor seek your approval.

[RedneckRebel]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

There's plenty of reason. I came here because I like the weather, the beach and the history. And I intend to use my political rights to try to make this place as I'd like it to be. I neither need nor seek your approval.

Then every legislative session have fun with your

Enjoy Florida Brotha!!

[kyle19125]

Good to see Florida is keeping pace with other non-progressive states like Alabama, Arkansas and Kansas. It should work wonders at helping to keep Florida free of large corporations with well-paying jobs from coming here and in some cases doing business here. Way to go once again to our sleazeball Governor!