The Democratic Party and the Planned Parenthood abortion business are joined at the hip and the two pro-abortion entities provided more evidence of that on Monday. Together they held a join press conference trashing pro-life advocates as “out of touch with women.”
Specifically, the joint event was to condemn pro-life Florida Governor Rick Scott — who signed a measure to defund Planned Parenthood earlier this year.
The bill would defund the Planned Parenthood Florida affiliate of taxpayer dollars, and require abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges or patient transfer agreements. In addition, it would increase abortion clinic inspection requirements and licensing fees.
Here’s how Planned Parenthood and Wasserman-Schulz trashed Scott and pro-life advocates:
She was joined – at a Planned Parenthood health center – by a Planned Parenthood patient, a Planned Parenthood executive and more than a dozen other political, health and women’s activists. And the rhetoric directed toward Scott and his fellow Republicans was sharp.
“They’re dramatically out of touch with the overwhelming majority of women, certainly, and families,” the Weston congresswoman said. “They don’t really care what the majority of Floridians think. They are bent on ideology being a priority and satisfying their right-wing extreme ideology. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds. And they’re willing to jeopardize women’s health care simply to satisfy the extremist, ideological bent in their party.”
Republicans were the broad target. The specific target was a state law cutting off funding for non-abortion services at organizations like Planned Parenthood that also provide abortions.
Wasserman Schultz and Laura Goodhue, vice president of public policy for the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, said the funding cutoff violates federal regulations governing the joint program.
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In Florida, the abortion group receives about $200,000 in taxpayer Medicaid funds every year, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The bill will redirect those funds to comprehensive health centers instead.
But leading pro-life groups hailed Governor Scott for signing the bill.
“Abortionists will finally be held to the same standard as all other physicians who perform invasive procedures in a non-hospital setting by the requirement to have admitting privileges or a transfer agreement with a nearby hospital,” says Ingrid Delgado of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops. “It is incomprehensible that opponents suggest the bill makes women less safe.”
John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, an Orlando-based social conservative advocacy group, hailed the law as protecting women’s health because he said more inspections will ensure greater quality care.
“This is a historic victory, and we are thrilled to have been an active part of this effort,” Stemberger said.
Abortion activists are considering a potential lawsuit against the new law.
The reality is that Planned Parenthood’s non-abortion services have been declining rapidly, according to its own annual reports. Between 2009 and 2014, Planned Parenthood’s cancer screenings and breast exams/breast care dropped by more than half, according to its annual reports. “Cancer screenings” fell from 1,830,811 to just 682,208 in that same period of time. “Breast exams/breast care” fell by more than half, from 830,312 in 2009 to 363,803 in 2014 and Pap smear tests dropped nearly two-thirds, from 904,820 to 271,539.
The Florida legislation would redirect the tax dollars to other non-abortion community health services, ensuring that women will have access to basic health services. Community health centers, which offer comprehensive health care to women and families, outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities by 20 to one.
Senate sponsor State Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, who sponsored the bill, previously said her legislation will ensure women are receiving quality health care.
“It is not a bill that restricts a woman’s right to choose … It’s getting the same level of care that she would have if she walked into any other clinic,” Stargel said.
Previously, an ACLU spokesperson said they would consider suing the state if the legislation becomes law. However, the spokesperson said it would depend partly on the outcome of another Florida law that the pro-abortion legal group is challenging. That law requires women to wait 24 hours before having an abortion. In February, the 1st District Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the pro-life law, allowing it to take effect, LifeNews reported.
