POST RELEASE: Wasserman Schultz, Women's Health Groups Stand Against Rick Scott's Extreme H.B. 1411

Washington, DC, May 9, 2016
Rick Scott and Florida's Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for H.B. 1411, which violates federal Medicaid law. Governor Scott's Administration knew that signing H.B. 1411 would violate longstanding federal law protecting health care providers from these kinds of political games - and he signed it anyway. Regrettably, I don't expect this to be the last we'll hear about his Administration's extreme actions on women's health care, but you can be certain that I will continue fighting for Florida's women every step of the way and that we will hold Rick Scott accountable for violating federal law.

POST RELEASE: Wasserman Schultz, Women’s Health Groups Stand Against Rick Scott’s Extreme H.B. 1411

Pembroke Pines, Fla.– Earlier today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23); Laura Goodhue, Executive Director of FL Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates; Gaby Garcia-Vera, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health; and Diane Mecias, Planned Parenthood Patient; and other women’s health care advocates held a press conference on Governor Scott’s signing of H.B. 1411, which bans Medicaid funding for organizations that provide abortion services. The group released the following statements after the press conference:

“Rick Scott and Florida's Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for H.B. 1411, which violates federal Medicaid law. Governor Scott's Administration knew that signing H.B. 1411 would violate longstanding federal law protecting health care providers from these kinds of political games - and he signed it anyway. Regrettably, I don't expect this to be the last we'll hear about his Administration’s extreme actions on women's health care, but you can be certain that I will continue fighting for Florida's women every step of the way and that we will hold Rick Scott accountable for violating federal law,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.

“Planned Parenthood has had successful public/private partnerships with County Health Departments and other state funded organizations for many years. It is not Planned Parenthood, but Floridians seeking health care who suffer the most from this defunding. Almost 70% of Planned Parenthood health centers in Florida are located in medically underserved or physician shortage areas- making them the only places where Floridians can seek preventive services such as contraception, cancer screenings and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections including HIV,” said Laura Goodhue, Executive Director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.

“We know that placing numerous Barriers in front of reproductive health and access actively works to destroy, shame, and cowers women into not getting the lifesaving health services they need, but also sends a message to Floridians everywhere that our state is one that doesn’t value the health, and dignity of its people,” said Gaby Garcia-Vera of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.

“When I was alone, and my resources were limited, Planned Parenthood was there. They provided me with the state-mandated abortion counseling and education, and it only reinforced my thoughts about what was the right decision for my daughter, myself, and my future family. In that moment, it wasn’t about politics. It wasn’t about numbers. It wasn’t about moral judgements. It was about me.  My health, my safety and my life. They cared no matter what,” said Diane Mecias, a Planned Parenthood patient.

###

Click here for digital photos from the event.

Contact:

Geoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931