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Adam Hasner: "I DO. I Support the Ryan Budget Plan"

Hasner Marries Himself to Ryan’s Proposal which Would Raise Healthcare Costs on Seniors and Women 

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Yesterday Adam Hasner double downed on his commitment to Paul Ryan’s Budget Plan, which would turn Medicare into a voucher program raising the cost of healthcare for women in south Florida by thousands of dollars every year. But this is hardly surprising: in fact, Ryan’s policies fit perfectly with Hasner’s long anti-women record in Tallahassee and his repeated efforts to restrict lifesaving healthcare that women rely on. 

The Ryan Budget that Hasner supports would force women to pay over $6,000 a year in healthcare costs, and would raise prescription costs for female seniors by an average of $599 a year. Hasner has previously voted  to slash healthcare funding and services for women (including healthcare services for low-income pregnant women), and voted three times to require women to view an ultrasound before terminating a pregnancy, even in cases of incest or rape. 

“It’s no surprise that Adam Hasner supports Paul Ryan’s budget: just like Ryan and the Republicans in Washington, Hasner has shown time and again a complete disregard for the needs of Florida’s seniors and women,” said Brannon Jordan, spokeswoman for the Florida Democratic Party. “Ryan’s plan to raise healthcare costs for Florida’s women by turning Medicare into a voucher program are perfectly in line with Hasner’s own long record of voting to slash healthcare funding for women in Tallahassee, and restrict women’s access to the lifesaving healthcare they need. Republicans like Hasner continue to show Floridians, through both their words and actions, that they simply aren’t on the side of our mothers, sisters and daughters.”   

BACKGROUND:

Paul Ryan’s budget would raise healthcare costs for women seniors. House Republicans voted to raise health care costs and prescription drug costs for women seniors. The FY2012 Republican Budget would force women seniors to pay over $6,000 more a year in health care costs. In addition, the Republican Budget reopens the Medicare Part D prescription drug “donut hole.” This would raise prescription drug costs by an average of $599 a year for women seniors in America. [Link to vote: Vote #277]

Hasner revealed that he supports the Ryan Budget. Hasner: “I do. I support the Ryan budget plan.”[CBS4 Facing South Florida, 8/20/2012,  5:16] 

Hasner has a long anti-women record, and has repeatedly voted to cut healthcare services for women.

Hasner Voted for 2010-2011 Budget Which Made Severe Cuts to Healthcare Programs Women Rely on. In April 2010, Hasner voted for the $70.4 billion budget for 2010-2011, which “slashes Medicaid reimbursement for larger hospitals by 7 percent and lowers spending on mental-health treatment and substance-abuse programs by more than $10 million. Funding for Healthy Start, which provides prenatal care to indigent women, and Healthy Families, which prevents child abuse, was cut by $12.6 million combined.” The budget was passed by a vote of 77-43.  [HB 5001, Vote Seq. 1122, 4/30/10; Tallahassee Democrat, 5/01/10]

Hasner Voted Against Funding County Family Planning Programs. In April 2004, Hasner voted against an amendment to increase funding for county health department family planning programs. The amendment to the appropriations bill failed by a vote of 41-74.  [HB 1835, Vote Seq. 782, 4/01/04]

Hasner Voted to Eliminate Optional Medicaid Coverage for Low-Income Pregnant Women, Which Dem. Rep. Geraldine Thompson Called The “Most Sexist Cut in the Budget.” In April 2010, Hasner voted in favor of a House budget which eliminated “optional Medicaid coverage for low-income pregnant women.” Democratic Rep. Geraldine Thompson called it “the most sexist cut” in the bill.  [HB 5001, Vote Seq. 1122, 4/30/10; Tampa Tribune, 4/02/10]

Hasner Voted to Allow Discrimination Against Pregnant Women in Public and Private Employment. In May 2003, Hasner voted against an amendment which banned discrimination against pregnant women in public and private employment. The amendment failed by a vote of 42-75.  [HB 143A, Amdt. 1, Vote Seq. 546, 5/16/03]

In 2010, Hasner Voted to Require Ultrasounds Before Women Could Get Abortions. In April 2010, Hasner voted for a bill requiring women to pay for an ultrasound before having an abortion, regardless of her ability to pay for it. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, “There are exceptions for medical emergencies and women can sign a waiver if they don’t want to see the results. But they would be forced to listen to a doctor describe the results.”  [HB 1143, Vote Seq. 1097, 4/30/10; Tallahassee Democrat, 5/01/10]

 … And in 2008. In April 2008, Hasner voted for the Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act, a bill to “require pregnant women to undergo ultrasound exams before getting an abortion … All women seeking to terminate their pregnancy would be required to pay for an ultrasound procedure – and view the results unless they signed a waiver – before having the abortion. The bill defined a “person” as any fertilized egg or beyond in a “fetal homicide” bill as a separate murder charge for anyone who caused a pregnancy to be terminated through an act of violence against a pregnant woman. The bill’s language would have changed the definition of a “viable” fetus and was criticized by abortion-rights advocates as opening an argument to set the same standards for abortions. The Orlando Sentinel reported, “‘It elevates a fetus and an egg, frankly, to the status of an adult person,’ said Adrienne Kimmell, executive director of Florida’s Planned Parenthood affiliates. ‘The purpose of this bill is to create tension with Roe v. Wade. It’s a chipping-away strategy we’ve seen for years now.’”  [HB 513, Vote Seq. 387, 4/02/08; Orlando Sentinel, 4/03/08]

… And Again in 2007. In 2007, Hasner voted for a bill that would require a woman to have an ultrasound before having an abortion and would institute a 24 hour waiting period. The bill was passed by a vote of 71-42.  [HB 1497, Vote Seq. 274, 4/27/07; Miami Times, 5/02/07]

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