GOVERNOR BUSH SIGNS WOMEN'S
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT INTO LAW ~~ ~New legislation will
improve patient safety for women throughout Florida ~ ~~
TUESDAY , MAY 31, 2005
Contact:
JACOB DIPIETRE
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Jeb Bush today signed House Bill 1041, the
Women's Health and Safety Act, into law. The legislation gives the
Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) new authority to
develop and enforce common sense health and safety standards for
abortion clinics performing abortions after the first trimester.
Prior to the signing of the Women's Health and Safety Act, AHCA's
regulatory authority at abortion clinics was severely limited.
"Safeguarding the health and welfare of all patients in Florida
is a top priority," said Governor Bush. "I applaud the Florida
Legislature for acting to erase a health care double standard and
giving women who undergo procedures in abortion clinics the same
safety assurances they would have in physician offices, ambulatory
surgery centers, or hospitals."
The Women's Health and Safety Act will allow AHCA to develop
health and safety standards that include equipment sterilization,
clinic personnel, pre-procedure medical screenings, adequate
staffing, recovery rooms, incident reporting and follow-up care.
Until today, AHCA has only had meaningful authority to regulate
hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers; the Department of Health
has authority to regulate doctors' offices. In those facilities, the
state sets standards for the physical building, cleanliness,
clinical equipment, staffing and post-procedure care. However,
AHCA's ability to set standards for abortion clinics had been
limited to licensure and inspection, the performance of procedures
by licensed physicians only, the disposal of fetal remains, and the
creation and preservation of patient records.
"Patients deserve the same quality of care and safety standards
regardless of where they decide to have a procedure performed," said
AHCA Secretary Alan Levine. "The Women's Health and Safety Act will
allow AHCA to hold abortion clinics to some of the same safety
standards as hospitals or doctors' offices, ensuring the safety of
women throughout Florida."
Although previously introduced in the legislature in 2002, 2003
and 2004, the bill never made it to the Senate floor and passed the
House of Representatives only during the 2002 Regular Session.
"We have tried to pass this bill as it has been a priority of
mine for the past four years," said Representative Aaron Bean. "We
had a great team this session, and I am thrilled to have gotten the
bill this year."
"By regulating health and safety standards for abortion clinics,
women undergoing medical procedures can be assured their safety is a
high priority," said Senator Paula Dockery. "I'm proud of the
efforts by everyone involved in the creation and passage of this
very important legislation."
Governor Bush was joined at the bill signing ceremony today by
Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, AHCA Secretary Alan Levine,
Representatives Aaron Bean, Paige Kreegel and Denise Grimsley and
Senator Paula Dockery. |