Abortion waiting period in Florida on its way to House floor

Legislation that would require women to meet with a physician 24 hours before having an abortion in Florida passed its final House committee Wednesday, a day after passing its first Senate committee.

The House Health & Human Services Committee approved the measure (HB 633) on a party-line vote of 12-5, a day after a Senate Health Policy Committee approved an identical version (SB 724) in a similar vote. The House bill is now poised to go to the House floor.

Democrats in both chambers opposed the bills but offered different amendments to try to ease the requirement that physicians meet in person with patients at least 24 hours before the procedure, a mandate that would result in the woman having to make two trips to the clinic. Although the amendments were different, both ended in failure.

Rep. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, offered an amendment Wednesday that would have allowed a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, advanced registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant to meet with a patient in lieu of meeting the doctor performing the procedure.

Berman said she filed the amendment to make it easier for clinics and patients. Supporters of the amendment argued that forcing a women to meet with her physician was a hardship on physicians and patients and that the information patients need to give informed consent could be provided by other medical personnel.


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/abortion-waiting-period-in-florida-on-its-way-to-h/nkkM6/