Florida Senate Approves Bill To Defund Planned Parenthood, Clinic Restrictions Similar To Texas Law

A Florida bill was approved Wednesday in the state Senate requiring abortion clinics to either have a patient transfer agreement with a local hospital or admitting privileges there for the doctors who are performing abortions. That provision was included in a Texas law enacted in 2013 that contributed to the closure of around 40 abortion providers under the weight of tougher restrictions.

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The bill also would prohibit public money from being used at Planned Parenthood affiliates. Government agencies, such as local and county health departments, would be prevented from funding Planned Parenthood affiliates or abortion providers for services such as cancer screenings or birth control. House Bill 1411 passed in the Florida Senate 25-15 and will return to the House since the Senate changed language in the bill, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The original measure passed in the House last week. More...

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