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Apr 30, 2010
By Dan
Moments ago the Florida House of Representatives passed HB 1143 by a vote of 76-44. What follows is my letter to Governor Crist requesting he veto the measure.
The Honorable Charlie Crist
Governor, State of Florida
Tallahassee, Fl 32399
Dear Governor Crist
Please veto HB 1143. In the final days of this recent legislative session, two amendments were placed on an otherwise innocuous insurance bill. Neither amendment had been heard in a single committee; and both were directed at involving the state in the most personal of decisions regarding a woman’s right to choose.
The first amendment creates a requirement that a woman who is considering terminating her pregnancy in the first trimester must review and have a live ultrasound explained to her in order to obtain the “informed consent’ required to have the procedure. The amendment further provides that a woman who has been raped or is the victim of incest (and other similar exceptions) may be excused from this requirement so long as she produces proof of the rape in the form of a police report, court order, or similar documentation.
To be clear, there is no health reason why an ultrasound is automatically necessary in the first trimester; and under current law a physician may order an ultrasound for health reasons at any time. The notion that the government should be involved in such a private decision is wrongheaded; the notion that someone can be excused from the requirement through “proof of rape” is offensive, insulting, and, frankly, cruel.
The second amendment provides that no state or local government funds may be used to cover abortion services. The amendment, however, defines government funds as including insurance policies purchased with any tax credits, which would potentially apply its ban to hundreds of thousands of private insurance policies purchased in the free market. Thousands of women who currently have such policies would lose services.
I appreciate that thoughtful and right thinking people can disagree on issues relating to reproductive rights. But I believe that no matter where you stand, the measures contained in HB 1143 are simply too extreme and heavy-handed.
I urge you to veto this bill.
Dan Gelber
Thank you Dan for your stand on this horrid bill. It is a rare woman who easily decides to terminate a pregnancy. And to ask a rape victim to provide proof of her attack is unconscionable!! Thank you Dan, thank you!!Judi Taylor
Have your buddies up there never heard of social justice? HB 1143 is so unjust. We need you to teach them right from wrong. Maybe this kind of legislation will dig them into a deep hole avenged in November. GELBER FOR AG.....
You are my hero, as a Broward County 29th year teacher,... I recently sent up 2 Senate
I applaud your efforts and I have also emailed the Governor asking him to veto this bill. Hopefully he will understand that this bill is unjust.
HB1143 must be voted !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HB 1143 Dear Sir:What is wrong with these Republicans? Do they really think they're representing their constituents? First, they want to destroy public education. Then they want to maintain unfair districting and now, getting between a woman and her doctor. What next? The burqa? This legislature is an embarassment. Thank you for standing up for women, medicine and rationality. There sure isn't a lot of companssion nor clear thinking evident in the Florida legislature. Keep these people off the campaign trail. They do not deserve reelection. Back to the drawing board on this bill and the whole budget.
Couldn't agree more!! Gov. Crist MUST veto this horrific bill.
I can\'t comprehend why Governor Crist hasn\'t vetoed it yet. Thank you for defending women against this horrific legislation that takes away our rights and leaves us worse off than we were 40 years ago. I\'ve launched an online campaign urging Crist to veto HB 1143: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/urgent_tell_charlie_crist_to_veto_hb_1143
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Dan,What about a veto for the entire budget? Obviously this budget shortchanges the hard working men and women of Florida (public employees) and cuts programs that fund our most vulnerable citizens (children, abused and neglected and elderly).Ron Saunders had suggested as such several days ago.I think Charlie should call our Republican friends back to Tally to craft a better budget. I know everyone wants to get out on the campaign trail but we must do what is socially responsible and we can certainly further our interests by making the Republican legislature responsible for their short sighted policies.