Federal Republicans were forced to back down from a controversial bill dictating that federal money could only be spent on abortions for woman who were "forcibly raped," where as current language allows for some public spending on abortions for woman who are victims of rape or incest. They backed down from the measure, but now Florida Republican are trying to push a state constitutional amendment that would bar funding for any type of abortions, as well as a bill that would ban even some private insurance companies from covering abortion.
Reads SJR 1538, introduced by Miami-area Republican Senator Anitere Flores:
Abortion/Public Funding/Construction of Rights; Proposes amendments to the State Constitution to prohibit public funding of abortions and prohibit the State Constitution from being interpreted to create broader rights to an abortion than those contained in the United States Constitution.
Notice how there's no exceptions for woman who are victims of rape or incest. The amendment would go much further than federal standards which currently allow for such exceptions. Though, cases involving threats to the mother's life would be excepted.
Though, if the amendment makes it to the ballot it would need to get at least 60 percent of voters to support it to pass. Though, controversial wedge issues often drive out conservative voters to the ballot, which could help the GOP presidential candidate in Florida in 2012.
Also making it's way through the legislator is Senate Bill 1414 which would forbid private insurance companies to cover abortion:
A health insurance policy or group health insurance policy under which coverage is purchased in whole or in part with any state or federal funds through an exchange created pursuant to the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, may not provide coverage for an abortion as defined in s. 390.011(1), except if the physician certifies in writing that an abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.The bill is a direct response to the Democrat's recent health care overall which would help subsidize some private insurance plans. In essence, it's Florida's answer to the illfated Stupak amendment. Unlike SJR 1538 though the language makes a specific exception for rape and incest.
Both bills passed easily though the Senate Health Regulation Committee today by a vote of 9 to 3, witch both Democrats on the committee voting against them.
