Abortion

St. Pete Times Editorial: Repeal president's last-minute rules

amanda.mourant — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:17:13 -0600

St. Petersburg Times, December 30,2008

It was timed perfectly. The federal rule that was just issued to allow health professionals to refuse to provide services such as the morning-after pill, if they violate the provider's convictions, is set to take effect just before the Obama administration takes over. How convenient.

Letter: We must begin addressing root causes of abortion issue

amanda.mourant — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:24:18 -0600

TCPalm, December 23, 2008

Over the past few weeks there have been letters with varying views on abortion. While this is a very emotional issue for some, there is common ground for both sides of the debate to agree upon: prevention.

The real problem is that we have a preventable public health problem in this country. It is estimated that 750,000 American teens will become pregnant this year, and millions more will contract a sexually transmitted infection. Florida alone has the sixth-highest teen pregnancy rate, and in 2004, teen pregnancy cost Florida taxpayers almost $500 million.

Bush's last jab at health care access

amanda.mourant — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:09:31 -0600

Sarasota Herald Tribune, December 22, 2008

When people are losing their jobs and so many Americans are without health care, it is unconscionable that the Bush administration has issued a sweeping new regulation that would further undermine health care.

New rule for health providers stirs objections

amanda.mourant — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:11:40 -0600

December 18, 2008, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration, in its final days, has issued a federal rule reinforcing protections for doctors and other health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions and other procedures because of religious or moral objections.

Critics of the rule say the protections are so broad that they limit a patient's right to get care and accurate information. For example, they fear the rule could make it possible for a pharmacy clerk to refuse to sell birth control pills and face no ramifications from an employer.

Gov. Crist has chance to put stamp on state Supreme Court

amanda.mourant — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:47:31 -0600

Sun-Sentinel, December 14, 2008

Tallahassee - Gov. Charlie Crist has a rare opportunity to shape the Florida Supreme Court in coming months with a pair of judicial appointments that have lasting implications for the state's legal system.

Crist, a first-term Republican, already has installed two new justices on the court — but his next two picks might be even more important. The reason: He'll replace retiring justices appointed by Democratic Gov. Lawton Chiles, marking the first time the panel will be dominated by Republican appointees.

Our view: Rights at risk

akimmell — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:02:57 -0500

Orlando Sentinel
August 3, 2008

Shelve arrogant White House push to redefine birth control as abortion

Countless Space Coast women every day make private decisions about bearing children, including choosing to use contraception.

The vast majority of American women use a contraceptive method at some point in their lives.

And 62 percent of the 62 million women nationwide of childbearing age are currently using one, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Republican-backed Bill Declares Life Begins at Conception

Judderwocki — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:03:01 -0500

Josh Hafenbrack, Sun-Sentinel
March 13, 2008
TALLAHASSEE — A bill that defines life at conception for the purpose of prosecuting violent acts against pregnant women cleared a House panel Wednesday along sharply divided party lines.

Republican legislators on the committee pushed through the effort to define an "unborn child" as a fetus at any stage of development in the womb. Under current law, an unborn child is defined as a "viable fetus" that is "capable of meaningful life outside the womb through standard medical measures."

Abortion foes peddle ideology

Judderwocki — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:02:15 -0600

A Times Editorial
March 6, 2008
The very difficult decision over whether to continue a pregnancy or choose an abortion is supposed to be a private one between a woman and her doctor. But extreme antiabortion ideologues in the Florida Legislature continually try to elbow in, and this year is no exception.

Sen. Daniel Webster, the Republican majority leader, has introduced a bill, SB 2400, to require that women get an ultrasound before having an abortion.

Planned Parenthood picks Oneco for clinic

Judderwocki — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:01:26 -0600

Donna Wright, Bradenton Herald
March 4, 2008

Planned Parenthood of Southwest Florida announced Monday that its first health clinic in Manatee County will be located in Oneco.

"The lease has been signed," said Barbara Zdravecky, chief executive officer and president of the Planned Parenthood Southwest and Central Florida. "It has been my goal to help reduce the high teen pregnancy rate and high teen, repeat-birth rates in Manatee County ever since I joined Planned Parenthood 14 years ago."

Choose Life License Plates

akimmell — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:42:36 -0600