Reproductive Rights News Roundup – 2/22/2019

Pro-choice advocates warn of potential “parental consent” bill in Legislature
By Mitch Perry
Florida Phoenix
The shakeup last month at the Florida Supreme Court is sparking renewed concern among pro-choice advocates, and a group of young activists is coming out aggressively against laws that require young women to get their parent’s consent – although no such bill has been filed in the Legislature this year.

Pro-Choice Advocates Worried by Looming Parental Consent Bill
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
Planned Parenthood says it expects lawmakers to introduce legislation requiring minors to have parental consent for an abortion.

Bills would prohibit Florida abortions after fetal heartbeat
By Katie Campione
Associated Press
A pair of controversial bills introduced in the Florida Legislature aim to ban women from attaining an abortion when a fetus’ heartbeat is detected.

What if U.S. Supreme Court overturns landmark Roe vs. Wade?
By Amy Weintraub
Florida Phoenix
Let’s look ahead. What if the landmark Roe v. Wade decision is gutted or overturned? My first thoughts go to my teen daughter, Caroline; my nieces, Haley and Isabelle; and all their girlfriends.

States Are Violating Medicaid Requirements by Refusing to Fund Some Abortions, Government Report Finds
By Josephine Yurcaba
Rewire
Fifteen states aren’t complying with Medicaid law regarding abortion according to a report released last month by the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—a reality that reproductive rights advocates say leaves many seeking abortions unable to fund or access them.

Fight emerges over HIV/AIDS care
By Christine Sexton
News Service of Florida
An ongoing legal battle over which managed-care plan should be picked by the state to provide care to low-income AIDS and HIV patients in South Florida has triggered a new round of litigation that pits two competitors.

Florida senators support coverage for preexisting conditions
By Christine Sexton
News Service of Florida
With continued legal and political battles about the federal Affordable Care Act, a Florida Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill that seeks to ensure patients with preexisting conditions would have access to health coverage.

Two Crises In One: As Drug Use Rises, So Does Syphilis
By Anna Gorman
Kaiser Health News
Public health officials grappling with record-high syphilis rates around the nation have pinpointed what appears to be a major risk factor: drug use.