Legislative Action Alert

FLORIDA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
313 S. CALHOUN STREET * TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301-1807
850-222-2803 * FAX: 850-681-9548 * WEBSITE:  www.flacathconf.org
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Women’s Health and Safety Act
Senate Bill 212 (Cowin) & House Bill 219 (Bean)

Present Status:  Clinics that perform abortions after the first trimester are not required under Florida statutes to provide the same level of care and follow-up as other comparable outpatient surgical centers or physician offices. Under current practices, a woman with post-abortion complications is usually directed to consult her personal physician or proceed to a local hospital emergency room. 

SOLUTION: Senate Bill 212 and House Bill 219, the Woman’s Health and Safety Act, will require that clinics performing abortions provide the following services: (1) Adequate medical screening of patients for risk factors (2) Post-operative care by the physician and the clinic, if necessary (3) Specific directions for follow-up care (4) Sufficient supplies, equipment, and staff to provide necessary and adequate patient care and safety.

ACTION: Please be in touch with House Members appearing on the Committee listed below asking for their support of the Women’s Health and Safety Act, which will be heard on Thursday, April 10 at 5:45pm. 

Please call or email Senate President Jim King’s office, (850) 487-5030 king.james.web@flsenate.gov , asking him to agenda the Women’s Health and Safety Act.

MESSAGE TO COMMITTEE: Please vote for HB 219 to assure women seeking abortions have adequate health and safety regulations to protect them from injury or death when obtaining an abortion.

WHEN: Call or email the House Health Standards Sub-Committee Representatives Tuesday (April 8) and Wednesday (April 9):

Sheila S. Hopkins
Associate for Social Concerns
Florida Catholic Conference
850-222-3803