Posted on 05/01/2010 12:17:20 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Gov. Charlie Crist, already embroiled in his own political drama, will have the final say on a health bill that included some anti-abortion measures that popped out of the Legislature shortly before Friday's adjournment.
The House passed the broader measure on a 76-44 vote after four hours of emotionally charged debate. Democrats said it was little more than an attempt to persuade women they shouldn't have an abortion. The Senate passed the bill Thursday, also largely along party lines.
"We got shut out of the process," Democrat Rep. Alan Williams said. "Don't waste the ink in our statutes, in our books, for this."
Democrats were upset the most with an amendment added late Wednesday that was not heard in committee and would require women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound exam in the first trimester of the pregnancy and pay for it even if they don't want to see the live image. Fewer than 10 percent of abortions in Florida occur after the first trimester and ultrasounds are already required for abortions after the first trimester.
Women seeking an abortion would also have to provide legal documentation to prove they were a victim of rape, incest or domestic violence in order to refuse to hear a physician's description of the ultrasound image during the exam.
"It is designed to coerce a woman to change her mind if not scare her away from the doctor's office," said Democrat Rep. Adam Fetterman, of Port St. Lucie. Democrats immediately looked for a veto from Crist, who had just returned to the Capitol after surrendering his role as the titular head of the Republican Party.
"He has some concern with the bill," Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey said. "(He) wants to review it when it reaches his desk."
The bill also included a provision supporting Attorney General Bill McCollum's lawsuit against the federal government that alleges national health care reforms are unconstitutional.
A strange bill. As long as abortion is legal, the idea of forcing women to pay for and view an ultrasound seems vindictive. Don’t know if I can agree with the bill. On the other hand, I call for an outright ban on Abortions.
It’s weird, I thought progressives were the ones who wanted to force people to get unnecessary medial procedures at taxpayer expense.
Also, first post! Hello FreeRepublic!
Welcome.
Progressive contradictions? There is not enough pixels to start listing them....
call it preventive medicine, if the state ends up paying for mental health counseling for those women dealing wth regrets long after their choice
I doubt there are many who do not remember for all their lives the birthday (expected due date) of the babies they abort
...the ones who wanted to force people to get unnecessary medial procedures at taxpayer expense.
Generally speaking you are correct. However, this bill will affect their most cherished belief...murdering innocent babies. They must really be freaking out behind closed doors.
The RATs continue to argue for the murder of potential voters. Felons may vote; but God forbid some baby grow up and vote. Too much of a risk, I guess. Or, if I were cynical, they really DO want to exterminate blacks (16% of the population gets 59% of abortions).
Rev. Al, does this matter?
You joined on the big commie day called May Day and you are called Red Ed ...... Hmmmmmm ...
PAPERS PLEASE!!! (lol)
You are right, it is an unnecessary medical procedure. It’s unfortunate that this happens because another unnecessary medical procedure is lied about. [of course, some couples who have no intention of getting an abortion get this done just because they want to see their baby, and the technology exists]
Hope your learning experience here lasts.
Let me leave you with this to ponder:
"Nazis kill Jews, Democrats kill babies."
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