Florida Republican Introduces Bill Criminalizing Abortion – Calling For Life In Prison
At 10%, Florida has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Rather than deal with the difficult issues, one Florida lawmaker chose to attack the real villains in today’s world, doctors. By flinging red meat to the state’s rabid religious right (and presumably the for-profit prison industry), Florida State Rep. Charles Van Zant (R) hoped that he could distract people from their dollar menu diets and untreated illnesses.
Van Zant introduced a bill which would make providing abortions a felony, even in cases of rape and incest. The only exceptions would be when the woman’s life is in danger. The Bill, called the Florida for Life Act, says (from Think Progress):
A termination of pregnancy may not be performed unless:
(a) Two physicians certify in writing to the fact that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, the termination of pregnancy is necessary to prevent the death of the patient;
(b) Two physicians certify in writing to the fact that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, the termination of pregnancy is necessary because to continue the pregnancy would unreasonably reduce the likelihood of successful treatment of a life-threatening disease of the patient; or
(c) A physician certifies in writing that a medical emergency existed and another physician was not available for consultation prior to the time necessary to perform the termination of pregnancy. The physician’s written certification must clearly describe the medical emergency.
The maximum penalty for the doctor would be life in prison.
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/01/05/florida-republican-introduces-bill-criminalizing-abortion-calling-for-life-in-prison/
= new reply since forum marked as read
Thankfully it hasn't been completely overturned (yet).
