Olivia Babis, Senior Public Policy Analyst, Disability Rights Florida:
“It is claimed that this bill is about valuing the lives of people with disabilities. Then I would pose the question, where is the rest of the bill?
“Where is the part of the bill that fixes the patchwork of systems we spend literally years of our lives waiting on? Where is the part of the bill that addresses the Medicaid institutional bias? What is being done to ensure these kids and their families have the support they need to thrive and opportunities when they grow up instead of joining the rest of us in the log jams that are the waitlists for services?
“This bill isn’t about disability. It uses disability to push forward an agenda having nothing to do with disability. If these politicians really wanted to show they care about the lives of disabled people, they would have addressed these issues.”
Laura Goodhue, Executive Director, Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates:
“This is another attempt to insert politics where it doesn’t belong — into the most sensitive situations between a patient and their doctor. If legislators are truly committed to making the world a better place for those with disabilities as many claim, they should work with disability rights advocates to increase opportunities in education and employment, as well as ensure that families have the needed resources to care for children with disabilities.
“The Legislature has and will try anything to eliminate access to abortion in our state and this inflammatory bill only makes that more clear. This is just one more unconstitutional attempt to put politicians between patients and their doctors.”
The Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates is the nonpartisan advocacy and political organization representing Florida’s two Planned Parenthood affiliates. The Alliance engages in educational and electoral activity, including legislative advocacy, voter education, and grassroots organizing to promote the Planned Parenthood mission. To learn more, visit the FAPPA website here.
Disability Rights Florida was founded in 1977 as the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for individuals with disabilities in the State of Florida. The P&A system exists to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and success of people with disabilities. Disability Rights Florida advocates, educates, investigates, and litigates to protect and advance the rights, dignity, equal opportunities, self-determination and choices for all people with disabilities. To learn more about Disability Rights Florida, visit their website here.
