Planned Parenthood Wants Scott To 'Reflect' On Abortion Bill
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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - After lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill that would require a 24-hour waiting period before women could have abortions, Planned Parenthood sent a letter Friday to Gov. Rick Scott that offers a twist on the idea of a waiting period.
"I am writing to you to request that you meet with a Planned Parenthood doctor to learn first-hand about what happens when a woman comes to one of our health centers for an abortion, then reflect for at least 24 hours before deciding whether to sign or veto this legislation,'' Barbara Zdravecky, of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, wrote in the letter to Scott.
The House sent the bill (HB 633) to Scott on Tuesday, which means he has until June 10 to take action.
Planned Parenthood lobbied against the bill during this spring's legislative session, arguing in part that it could limit access to abortions for some women, including women in rural areas who have to travel long distances to clinics. But the arguments gained little traction in the Republican-controlled Legislature, with the bill's supporters saying a waiting period would help ensure women are making the right decisions before having abortions.
In the letter sent to Scott, Zdravecky raised the possibility of a constitutional challenge to the measure.
"This bill is not only intrusive and judgmental, it may also be unconstitutional,'' the letter said. "Legislators have raised concerns throughout the legislative process that this bill violates Floridians' constitutional right to privacy and would be found to be unconstitutional and overturned if you sign it into law."
"The News Service of Florida contributed to this report."