Planned Parenthood defund bill cites dentists as reproductive care alternative
Source: The Guardian
Planned Parenthood defund bill cites dentists as reproductive care alternative
Schools also among options as Florida lawmakers aim to prevent
state agencies from working with any organization that provides
abortion care
Jennifer Gerson Uffalussy in Atlanta
Saturday 19 March 2016 13.54 GMT
A bill passed in the Florida legislature this week would effectively defund Planned Parenthood and other reproductive rights clinics by preventing state agencies from working with any organization that provides abortion care other than that for victims of rape, incest, or if the life of the woman is at risk.
As the bill heads to governor Rick Scott for his signature, several state lawmakers who have insisted that plentiful alternatives exist for reproductive and sexual healthcare have cited a list of health centers that includes dentists, optometrists, and elementary schools.
I dont understand how they put this list together, said Kheyanna Suarez, a student at Florida Atlantic University who first started visiting Planned Parenthood when she was 16. Were they blind and mashed everything from Google on to one list? A dental office, a Salvation Army, an elementary school I cant go and get care at those places. If I have to leave my healthcare up to the places on that list, I am scared. I dont think an elementary school can prescribe me birth control.
During the 2 March hearing on the proposal, state lawmaker Lori Berman asked bill co-sponsor Colleen Burton to elaborate on alternative resources for birth control, pap smears, breast exams and other reproductive services.
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Read more:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/19/defund-planned-parenthood-florida-bill-dentist-reproductive-care-alternatives