Democratic Underground - Doctors speak out about Florida's new punitive, invasive abortion law.

I am glad to see some doctors speaking out about this newly passed bill. Some politicians are wary of it as well. Crist may veto it, but until then I hope more sound off about it.

From the St. Pete Times:

Abortion description law worries doctors, politicians

"It's such a third-party intervention in the doctor-patient relationship," said Dr. Shayne Plosker, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Florida. "It's impinging on our rights and freedoms as Americans. There are very few things as personal to people as their health care and their relationship with their doctor."

..."Plosker does not perform abortions. But the legislation is so vague, he doesn't know what he is obligated to say, and he worries for parents whose fetus shows abnormalities. "To force that person who's already hurting and who's already having to make a difficult situation to look and hear a graphic explanation of what's going on, I find it repulsive and cruel," Plosker said.

Dr. Joshua Copel, a professor at Yale medical school and prenatal diagnostician who doesn't do abortions, opposes this kind of legislation. "The theme to these laws is either, doctors are convincing women to have abortions, or that women are not thinking seriously about the decision before they come to see us," he said. "Having counseled many women over many years, I really find that's not the case."

Rep. Ed Homan, R-Tampa, a physician and abortion opponent, voted against the measure, saying its purpose "wasn't to practice better medicine. It's an ideology issue.'' Some day, he said, liberals might be in charge and could impose their ideology.

"The bottom line is, don't go there,'' said Homan, an orthopedic surgeon at USF. "Just let doctors practice medicine."

The law is very intrusive on the woman's right to counsel and make decisions about her reproductive care with her doctor.

Florida's restrictive abortion amendment

The patient would be required to pay for the ultrasound.

Among those arguing hardest for the measures was Sen. Ronda Storms. In the end, the Valrico Republican was the only female senator who voted for the first bill amendment, requiring women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound before the procedure.

..."During debate, Democratic Sen. Dan Gelber blasted proponents for ramming the controversial amendments through in the final days of the legislative session and called the ultrasound mandate particularly "offensive to women."

Storms chastised Gelber and other male senators arguing "about how I should be offended."

"We're not little girls; we are adult women," she said. "We are not afraid of information."

Florida political cartoonist, Chan Lowe said it best of all.

From Chan Lowe: With all the serious problems this state has, the Republican-dominated legislature always manages to find the time to address this subject in an election year. Gay marriage, in recent years, has become another reliable vote-getter. It's one of those amazing natural phenomena that the fate of the unborn and the sanctity of heterosexual marriage never seem to be under threat in years that end with odd numbers.
From the Sun Sentinel

Amen.

Doctors speak out about Florida's new punitive, invasive abortion law. [View All]