Public Policy Corner
Public Policy Update
After 34 years of waiting for a significant court victory to turn the tide in the struggle against abortion, the United States Supreme Court upheld the federal ban on partial birth abortion in a 5-4 vote today. Justices Roberts, Alito, Kennedy, Scalia and Thomas voted to uphold the ban on partial-birth abortion. Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion and Justice Ginsberg wrote the dissent, joined by Souter, Breyer and Stevens.
"The court recognized the truth long proclaimed by both science and the Church that the child in the womb is a living human organism," said Bishop Victor Galeone, moderator for the Respect Life Committee of the Florida Catholic Conference. "At last, our most vulnerable brothers and sisters will be protected from the horrifying and unnecessary procedure known as partial birth abortion. We will continue our struggle to protect babies in the womb from the moment of conception, and we encourage Florida lawmakers who previously have passed legislation to ban this procedure in law to consider doing so once again," said Bishop Galeone.
LIFE AND DEATH
Offenses Against Unborn Children
CS/HB 71 (Poppell) / CS/SB 234(Posey)By a vote of 76-39, CS/HB 71 was passed by the House and will be sent in messages to the Senate. This bill allows a person to be charged with vehicular homicide or DUI manslaughter if the death of an unborn child, at any stage of development, is the result of any automobile accident. The Senate companion, CS/SB 234, currently remains in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Parental Notice of AbortionCS/HB 1497 (Traviesa) / CS/CS/SB 1602 (Storms)After lengthy debate regarding the merits and intentions of CS/HB 1497, the measure passed 71-42. Some of the objections included lack of funding for ultrasounds that would be required for first trimester abortions and applying the 24-hour notice to adult women. Many supported the health safeguards such as the 24-hour waiting period for reflection and ultrasounds as a required standard of care. CS/CS/SB 1602, the companion, is on second reading on the Senate calendar.
Pregnancy Support ServicesAt the time of this report, the House and Senate have included $2 million in the Department of Health budget for this valuable service that helps many women in our state choose alternatives to abortion.
Ethical Research Environment
CS/HB 1065 (Flores) / CS/CS/SB 2496 (Haridopolos)
CS/HB 1065 has been through all its committees of reference. The bill is evidently slowed because the House is reluctant to appropriate funds for it and likely will not place it on the calendar. CS/CS/SB 2496 has not been withdrawn from its last committee of reference, which would make it available for floor action. Both of these bills currently include provisions for ethical stem cell research and would not allow state funding of destructive embryo research.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
Developmental Disabilities
Budget provisions to fund vital services by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities are in negotiations between the House and Senate. An action alert issued by the Conference calls for our advocacy network to contact state legislators to urge protection of our vulnerable, developmentally disabled citizens throughout the budget process. Click here to view the alert and take action.
EDUCATIONScholarships for Students in Failing Schools
CS/CS/SB 2380 (Webster)
This legislation received favorable passage (3-2) with a committee substitute from the Senate Finance and Tax Committee this week. CS/CS/SB 2380 re-establishes the Opportunity Scholarship Program by separating corporate tax scholarship dollars from the state treasury and is expected to be considered on the Senate floor before the conclusion of the legislative session. This bill is now in Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations and likely will be withdrawn to the Senate floor.
Scholarship Programs
HB 7145 (Schools and Learning Council)
This legislation, which expands provisions of the Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program, remains available for consideration on the House special order calendar and is expected to pass. Several clarifying amendments are pending that provide oversight of private schools that enroll children who are homebound by disability.
HEALTH
KidCare Health Insurance
Improvements Pass the HouseOn Wednesday, the House passed CS/HB 7189 by a vote of 98-14, which streamlines the KidCare program and eases access to it. The Senate is expected to take up its slightly different version early next week. The Conference is urging agreement between both bodies and has sent a letter to Senate President Pruitt and House Speaker Rubio urging coverage of children of immigrants and state employees. The House adopted this approach after some debate.
Health Budget
A key element of the current Medicaid program is the Low Income Pool (LIP) Program, which reimburses hospitals that serve all Floridians for charity and Medicaid care. State and local funds draw down significant federal matching funds. A letter was sent this week to President Pruitt from the Chairman of the Conference's Catholic Health Executives Commission urging the Senate to adopt the House position which fully funds this program.
Deacon Bob Anderson
