Latest news with #HB90
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rallying for the Democracy Principle: Why we showed up at the Capitol on KY legislature's last day
The League of Women Voters of Kentucky highlighted the Democracy Principle during a Capitol rally on the last day of the 2025 regular session, March 28, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) The League of Women Voters of Kentucky joined with other advocacy groups at the Capitol Rotunda on March 28 for the Democracy Principle Rally. Why? Because our representative democracy rests on a fundamental principle: We, the people, have a right to participate in decisions that affect us. The League of Women Voters of Kentucky has documented how Kentucky's legislative process, since 1998, has been manipulated in ways that increasingly minimize public input, stifling full and open debate on significant legislation. The 2025 legislative session was no exception, with numerous bills passed and sent to the governor using fast-track maneuvers and undemocratic tactics, often in combination. Legislators used combinations like these: File a 'shell bill' with minor changes to existing law and assign it to a standing committee. Rush a bill by holding bill readings on the chamber floor before the committee even discusses and votes on the bill. Reschedule committee meetings with short notice to the public. In committee, introduce and vote on a substitute bill that some committee members cannot access before the meeting and the public has not seen. Send the bill for a floor vote that same day, giving non-committee legislators and their constituents little time to review the new language. Then, the shenanigans rinse-and-repeat in the next chamber. If such strategies produce a bill different from the originating chamber, specially appointed committees can produce yet another version for a final vote before the public and many legislators have time to review. These strategies not only interfere with public participation, but legislators themselves may have limited access to bill substitutes before a vote, let alone journalists whose job it is to inform the public. Overall, these fast-tracking methods are unnecessarily hasty and may lead to careless mistakes or laws that are out of step with public opinion. Lawmaking should not be reduced to power plays, but be approached with careful consideration of intended and unintended consequences. KY legislature again excluded public via fast-track maneuvers, says League of Women Voters Among the bills that were passed using one or more of these maneuvers were: HB 4, restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and constraining instruction in public postsecondary institutions. HB90, originally focused on free-standing birthing centers, but last-minute additions included abortion-related provisions. HB241, a two-page bill allowing school districts to adjust calendars due to weather-related emergencies had multiple provisions about virtual education programs added on the Senate floor. HB 695, included last-minute changes to the state Medicaid program by adding mandatory work requirements for able-bodied adults. HB 775, a four-page bill on development districts that transformed to a 108-page bill making substantive taxation changes beyond development districts. SB 202, a five-page shell bill making innocuous word changes that became a 60-page bill to regulate the sale of cannabis-infused beverages. Prior to these past two sessions, the League made recommendations to the General Assembly on how to strengthen public participation by respecting the Democracy Principle. We described how Kentucky's Constitution, laws and legislative process rules actually provide opportunities for public participation in the lawmaking process. We urged the legislature to respect these constitutional and statutory requirements alongside its own procedural rules. The 2025 legislative session lacks evidence that the General Assembly has taken these recommendations to heart. That's why we took the message to the Capitol on the last day of the session, to unequivocally affirm that there should be no laws about us, without us. That is the heart of the Democracy Principle, and we will not let the people be ignored.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers override Gov. Beshear's abortion, maternal health veto
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Kentucky lawmakers have voted to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of House Bill 90. The bill's supporters said it is meant to bring clarity to doctors now fearful of breaking Kentucky law for terminating pregnancies while treating expectant mothers experiencing complications. Kentucky governor vetoes GOP abortion bill, says it undermines doctors and endangers pregnant women 'Although supporters of House Bill 90 claim it protects pregnant women and clarifies abortion law in Kentucky, it actually does the opposite,' Beshear said in his veto message. Beshear said the bill would restrict health care and put the lives of women with high-risk pregnancies on the line. 'House Bill 90 addresses the critical need to improve maternal health and access to maternal health care within our Commonwealth, including establishing a framework for the introduction of freestanding birthing centers, as well as clarifying existing abortion laws by providing clearer guidelines for doctors treating complex pregnancies. It was crafted with the participation of multiple stakeholders—including physicians who provide obstetric and gynecological care to Kentucky women each and every day,' Representative Jason Nemes, the sponsor of HB 90 said. The bill saw a last-minute addition before heading to the governor's desk. It initially aimed to create a framework for freestanding birthing centers in the Commonwealth, something many patients have crossed the Ohio River to obtain. Louisville man accused of trafficking over 4 pounds of meth on I-64 in Midway Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear displays his colors in veto fights with Republican lawmakers Where is the top-rated seafood restaurant in Kentucky? Yelp has the answer 'Unfortunately, at the 11th hour, lawmakers attached HB 414 to the bill,' Angela Cooper, ACLU Kentucky, wrote. Specifically, the bill noted that termination of a pregnancy complicated 'by a fetal anomaly' or 'the result of rape or incest' doesn't constitute an 'unlawful abortion.' However, it will ensure pregnant women experiencing a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or other life-threatening complications can receive care. 'It's also a continuing process, and we are committed to having those continued conversations, but I don't want to mislead anybody. Kentucky is a pro-life state, and it will stay such. But if we have to do things to continue to improve the lives of pregnant women in danger and to help doctors, we are committed to doing that,' Rep. Nemes said. 'I'm proud of this. Some people say I'm more devastated than this than they've ever been. I'm prouder now, in this moment when I'm standing out here than I've ever been, because this will save lives.' Read more of the latest news in politics The bill passed in the House 74–17 before being sent to the governor's desk. Beshear's veto is now nullified, paving the way for HB 90 to become Kentucky law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Planned Parenthood boosts care access in Kentucky amid rising political fears
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Kentucky's Planned Parenthood seeks to expand sexual and reproductive healthcare throughout the state after launching a virtual health center this week. This comes amid rising political fears as Kentucky lawmakers work to enact a bill planned parenthood said could put pregnant patients at risk. Planned Parenthood patients in Kentucky now have the opportunity to receive health care from the comfort of their homes. 'It's convenient,' said Rebecca Gibson, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, and Kentucky. 'It's providing enhanced access. It's confidential. It's quick. We are offering services six days a week.' Planned Parenthood boosts care access in Kentucky amid rising political fears Popular Lexington restaurant owner settles in $9M tip and wage theft lawsuit Veto recess begins after Ky. lawmakers deliver session's most controversial bills to Gov. Beshear Gibron said patients will have access to trusted providers through video calls to discuss birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy planning, and says this is a crucial opportunity for many Kentuckians, noting that more than half the state's rural hospitals have eliminated labor and delivery services, and 76 out of 120 counties do not have an OBGYN.'There's opportunity here for patients to access a health care provider, to have their questions asked, and to get consultation about whether they need an in-clinic visit,' said Gibron. 'And we can help provide referral sources for our patients where we may not have a physical health center. And, of course, if we can help them through the virtual health tool, we're going to do that.'Planned Parenthood's Virtual Health Center in Kentucky came days after a bill with abortion-related language cleared the state senate and amendment added to HB90 presents exceptions for doctors to take action in life-or-death situations as an emergency intervention for sepsis and hemorrhaging while keeping the state's abortion ban intact. Read more of the latest Kentucky news If signed into law, Planned Parenthood leaders said this would put Kentuckians' lives in more danger by forcing pregnant patients to suffer through a crisis before receiving care.'It's very dangerous,' said Gibron. 'And, you know, it's intentional, right? It's intentional to do everything that they can to ensure that a woman does not have agency over her own body and the ability to make her own health care decisions with her provider of health care.'Planned Parenthood is urging Governor Andy Beshear to veto HB90. We reached out to the bill's sponsor and several pro-life organizations for a response but did not hear back. To learn more about Planned Parenthood's Virtual Health Center, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kentucky birthing center bill advances to Beshear's desk, but with last-minute addition
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A bill that aims to provide expecting mothers more options for delivery saw a last-minute addition. House Bill 90 focused on paving the way for freestanding birthing centers in the Commonwealth, something many patients have crossed the Ohio River to obtain. The bill, which has bipartisan support, passed the House on Thursday morning, but not without receiving a last-minute addition. Eubank man accused in 2 rape cases involving missing girl claims he's the victim Kentucky birthing center bill advances to Beshear's desk, but with last-minute addition West Liberty man charged with rape, incest of 2 underage girls 'Unfortunately, at the 11th hour, lawmakers attached HB 414 to the bill,' Angela Cooper, ACLU Kentucky, wrote. House Bill 414 focuses on perinatal palliative care, an approach to maximize the quality of life and comfort for a newborn with a variety of life-threatening conditions. The bill outlines raised exceptions to the Kentucky abortion ban, providing a guideline for medical providers. Specifically, the bill noted that termination of a pregnancy complicated 'by a fetal anomaly' or 'the result of rape or incest' doesn't constitute an 'unlawful abortion.' 'The latest iteration of House Bill 414 indicates the Kentucky General Assembly recognizes that when people experience pregnancy complications that put their lives at risk, they should receive appropriate medical care,' Amber Duke, executive director of the ACLU Kentucky, said. 'However, this bill does nothing to restore the right to abortion in the Commonwealth. We will continue to fight to ensure that all Kentuckians, regardless of their circumstances, will be able to receive the abortion care that they need.' 'Make no mistake: Kentucky's existing ban will remain firmly in place, and these so-called 'exceptions' do nothing to mitigate the chilling effect that drives providers out of the state—or forces them into fear of prosecution for delivering what should be basic health care,' Planned Parenthood said in reaction to the passage of HB 90. Trump threatens 200% tariff on European wine Oversight Democrats launch review of crypto reserve 'poised to enrich' Trump Kentucky birthing center bill advances to Beshear's desk, but with last-minute addition The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jason Nemes (R) of Louisville, argued that the legislation would save lives, not put them at risk. 'It's also a continuing process, and we are committed to having those continued conversations, but I don't want to mislead anybody. Kentucky is a pro-life state, and it will stay such. But if we have to do things to continue to improve the lives of pregnant women in danger and to help doctors, we are committed to doing that,' Rep. Nemes said. 'I'm proud of this. Some people say I'm more devastated than this than they've ever been. I'm prouder now, in this moment when I'm standing out here than I've ever been, because this will save lives.' HB 90 passed in the House 74–17 and is headed to Gov. Andy Beshear's desk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Democrats pass as late breaking ‘clarification' of Kentucky abortion law clears Senate
Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, was among Senate Democrats passing on a bill meant to provide Kentucky health care providers with more clarity regarding the state's laws on abortion. (LRC Public Information) In response to what one Republican called 'a desperate need for clarity' in Kentucky's abortion law, the Senate has approved language detailing the ban's exception for 'life of the mother' and listing some situations when doctors may end complex pregnancies. All Democrats in the Republican-controlled Senate passed on the vote, saying they hadn't had time to review the changes, which were first made public Wednesday, or to understand if the amendment would help or hurt pregnant women and medical providers. Health care professionals in Kentucky and beyond have long said the state's abortion laws are too medically vague and inhibit their ability to properly treat miscarriages, hemorrhages and other emergencies. Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, carried House Bill 90 on the Senate floor. Once a bill only to pave the way for freestanding birth centers in Kentucky, itl now carries the abortion clarification language. HB 90 has now passed both chambers and only needs House concurrence with the amendment to be sent to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear for a signature or veto. The clarification language was first added to a different bill Wednesday, but that bill has yet to clear a chamber. 'There is a desperate need for clarity on a lot of … medical issues that come up during the course of a pregnancy,' Raque Adams said. 'There is a lot of misinformation out there in the medical community, and doctors just need to be doctors. And so this language that's before us today adds some much needed clarity for the medical community.' The clarification still instructs health care providers to 'make reasonable medical efforts under the circumstances to preserve both the life of the mother and the life of the unborn child.' But it outlines that doctors can intervene to remove molar and ectopic pregnancies, manage miscarriages, treat sepsis and hemorrhage and more. It also leaves the determination of an emergency to 'the physician's reasonable medical judgment.' Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville, said she would support anything that 'will save the lives of pregnant women in this state' but she felt the language was rushed through the process. Chambers Armstrong said she hadn't received the bill substitute in time to understand it and consult with experts, slamming 'an intentional choice by the majority party in the way this legislation was moved to disenfranchise me and the people I represent on this very important issue.' 'I really hope that this bill does take a step forward in terms of allowing doctors to provide lifesaving care. I truly hope that that is what this legislation does. However, I don't know that,' she said. In committees Wednesday, Dr. Jeffrey M. Goldberg, the legislative advocacy chair for the Kentucky chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), said the language isn't perfect and will need more work. But, he said, physicians already work under such ambiguity that something has to be done. Sen. Karen Berg, D-Louisville, said the effort at clarity is still 'full of words that have no meaning to a physician.' 'It's an excellent effort to fix a huge — huge — problem of our own making,' said Berg, who is also a doctor. 'But it can't be rushed. It needs to be right.' Beshear in his weekly news conference said the Republican changes are not enough to restore access to abortion in Kentucky. He pointed out that Kentucky's abortion ban still would have no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. 'Even with this bill, it would be significantly less access than virtually every other state in the United States.' He also said he has questions about whether the new language would clarify or confuse the legal picture for health care providers. 'We were told by those that that passed the trigger law originally that it provided an exception for the life of the mother, and now this bill is saying that it needs to be passed through law. So one question I'm going to have is: Is it more or less restrictive than the current understanding in the medical community that we have right now?' McKenna Horsley contributed to this story.
