Federal judge blocks new Florida abortion law

The law would end $700,000 of federal, state and local funds flowing to Planned Parenthood for women’s health services and other programs because the organization provides abortions in Florida, according to the Palm Beach Post.

During a hearing Wednesday, Planned Parenthood lawyers argued they couldn’t be targeted for defunding or increased regulation just because they provide abortions – a constitutionally protected right under Roe v. Wade.

The injunction, written by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle, orders the state to maintain contracts for preventive care with abortion clinics including Planned Parenthood and prevents a new rule that would require 50 percent of all abortion clinic records to be reviewed by the state each year.

A prominent IN anti-abortion group urged the state to appeal Pratt’s decision. It also did not address the definitions used by the state for dates of gestation and pregnancy trimesters. “This ruling also sends an unmistakable message to politicians to quit playing politics with women’s health”, President/CEO, Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, Lillian A Tamayo said following the ruling. “Perry said it “defies reason” to conclude Planned Parenthood willfully violated the law”. It argued Planned Parenthood’s application with the state was deficient and regulators sought almost $700,000 in fines.

“This is about politicians getting in the middle of making health care decisions about women and what happens in our community”, said Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida CEO Barbara Zdravecky.

Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the administration was “looking” at Hinkle’s ruling, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Pratt said the IN law would go against U.S. Supreme Court rulings that have declared states may not prohibit a woman from seeking an abortion before a fetus is able to live outside the womb.

The injunction “puts the two portions of the law on hold until [Hinkle] issues a full ruling on the merits of the lawsuit”, as The Associated Press reports.

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