Voters in the state of Florida will have a number amendments to consider when they step into the ballot box, this year. One of the most important deals with abortion and a woman’s right to choose.
This amendment looks to remove privacy for women regarding abortion or weaken that right, depending on which side the fence you sit.
Recently, I talked with Lisa Murano, the Deputy Campaign Manager for the “Vote No On Amendment Six” campaign. She has been involved with this campaign since the summer and has worked to educate voters on why passage of this amendment would be bad news for women across the state.
Jason: You currently serve as the Deputy Campaign Manager for the “Vote No On Amendment Six” campaign. Can you tell us a little bit about your position and the campaign?
Lisa: The Vote No On 6 campaign has built a coalition of over 100 faith leaders, civil rights organizations, and medical professionals who are standing in opposition to Amendment 6. The campaign has been phone banking every week to tell voters about the dangers of Amendment 6. Organizations like the NAACP, League of Women Voters, and Planned Parenthood are urging their supporters to stop political interference in the form of Amendment 6. 20 editorial boards from across the state also took a “No” stance on Amendment 6.
Jason: So what is at stake with Amendment six? On the “No on Six’s” campaign website, the statement “Amendment 6 inserts politics where it doesn’t belong” is listed. Can you go into a little detail as to what that means?
Lisa: Amendment 6 would allow politicians like Rick Scott to interfere in personal medical decisions, which are best made by a woman in consultation with her family, her faith and her doctor. Amendment 6 could take away health coverage from public workers like teachers, doctors, and firefighters – coverage they currently have today. Furthermore, Amendment 6 makes no exceptions for a woman facing a severe fetal abnormality, or one which could permanently affect her fertility. It could even prevent a pregnant woman with a serious health problem like cancer from getting the care she needs.
Women’s health is at stake if Amendment 6 passes. Health care coverage for those we all rely on most, like police and first responders, could be taken away.
Jason: Inserting the role of politics in our daily lives has worked in other cases, such as healthcare and economics. Without the government creating programs like Social Security, “Obamacare,” and Medicare, many Americans would be without vital services and a sense economic autonomy.
Lisa: First, programs like Social Security, “Obamacare” and Medicare do not take away health care coverage from those who need it, as Amendment 6 would do.
Amendment 6 does not allow for exceptions when a woman’s health is threatened. In the real world, pregnancies can go tragically wrong. If a woman is faced with a difficult decision, it should be up to her and her family to consult with her doctor to decide what medical care is best for her. We do not consult politicians in Tallahassee for advice on contraception or heart medication. It should not be up to politicians to decide what medical care is best for a woman facing an already difficult decision.
Jason: Why should local residents vote no on this amendment in the name of personal privacy, and freedom of choice? Some would argue that choice was thrown out the window with the aforementioned government programs, like Medicare?
Lisa: Women should have the ability to decide with the help of their doctors, family, and faith what medical care is best for them. Politicians like Rick Scott should not be making these personal medical decisions.
Jason: Dr. Randy Armstrong, a leading physician for “Vote Yes on 6,” states that parents should have a voice they do not currently have in Florida. Parents have to give consent for a lot of things, like giving permission to a child to go on a field trip while attending school. Why shouldn’t parents have the right to consent before a minor decides to have an abortion?
Lisa: Of course a parent would want to know when their daughter wanted to end a pregnancy. Florida law already required parental notification. That won’t change. What Amendment 6 really does is to let politicians interfere with the personal health care decisions of a woman that are best made by a woman in consultation with her family and her doctor.
Jason: Religion may be the leading cause for many to vote yes on six due to its language regarding abortion. What do you say to the woman who wants to keep politics out of her private life, but is led by her faith to reject abortion at all costs?
Lisa: People from a variety of faith backgrounds are opposing Amendment 6. A coalition called Faith Voices Against 6 has recently released an open letter from over 100 faith leaders across the state who are opposed to politicians intruding on personal medical decisions. Organizations like the National Council of Jewish Women, Catholics for Choice, and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice believe that the decision to end a pregnancy is best left to a woman in consultation with her family, doctor, and faith. Our religious values call us to offer compassion, support and respect to a woman in these trying times – not to make decisions on her behalf.
Jason: Going back to politics, many popular politicians on the right have endorsed voting yes on six, such as Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. What can be gained by Republicans if six is passed by Florida voters besides what we have already discussed?
Lisa: This is a perfect example of who is supporting Amendment 6: politicians. Medical providers, faith leaders, and civil rights organization are leading the fight against Amendment 6.
Jason: Lastly, for those voters who may be dismayed in voting the entire ballot due to its length and language, what piece of advice do you give to them?
Lisa: All of the proposed Amendments, including 6, were written and introduced by Tallahassee politicians. The language is flawed and meant to be misleading. As voters, it is our duty to oppose intrusive Amendments like 6. I would recommend that voters follow lead of 20 editorial boards who urged their readers to oppose Amendment 6.
Early voting is a great way to avoid long lines on Election Day. I would suggest that voters visit their local Supervisors of Elections office to find out their Early Voting location, and vote during that time which ends November 3rd.
