Tallahassee, FL — As Adam Hasner travels to Tampa to attend events around the Republican National Convention, the women of West Palm should be on high alert. Republicans in Tampa haver adopted an extreme-anti women “Akin” plank in their platform which threatens women’s healthcare and would outlaw abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. But the women of West Palm shouldn’t expect to hear any complaints about this policy from Hasner — since these backward looking policies match perfectly with his own extreme, anti-women record. 

“As Adam Hasner travels to the Republican National Convention, the women of West Palm Beach should be on high alert,” said Brannon Jordan, spokeswoman for the Florida Democratic Party. “Just like the Republicans he’s meeting in Tampa, Hasner supports extremist, backward looking policies that threaten access to healthcare for women and would outlaw abortion, even in cases of incest or rape. And even worse, Hasner supports the Romney-Ryan budget which would raise the cost healthcare for women and seniors by thousands of dollars ever year. Republicans like Hasner have proven time and again they aren’t on the side of the women and families of West Palm.”

THE HASNER RECORD: TOO EXTREME FOR WOMEN

 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.

Facebook: Hasner Pledged To “Oppose All Taxpayer Funding Of Abortion.” On his Facebook page, Hasner said if he were elected to the U.S. Senate, he would pledge to “oppose all taxpayer funding of abortion. I’m pro-life. I’ll vote to defend life, and to ensure that not one penny of taxpayer money goes toward funding abortions.” [Adam Hasner Facebook Page, accessed 9/6/11]

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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