A federal judge has blocked parts of a controversial Florida abortion law. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, issued a 25-page ruling right before the law was set to go into effect.
Florida’s new abortion law stops state agencies, local governments and Medicaid managed care plans from working with organizations that perform elective abortions. Planned Parenthood argued the law stops clinics from receiving money for other services, like preventative healthcare, and STD screenings.
Critics blasted the law as an attempt to further restrict access to abortion services, but it's supporters say that's not the case.
“Would I like a bill that outlaws abortion? Sure. But that’s not what this bill does. Because that’s unconstitutional. Because we’re allowed to have a woman’s right to choose," bill sponsor, Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, argued prior to the bill passing the Senate.
Planned Parenthood chose not to challenge another part of the law that increasing surgical standards for abortion clinics and requiring physicians to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. The U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down a Texas law containing similar language.
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