Florida NOW

For Immediate Release: June 29, 2025

President Julie Kent, Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) president@flnow.org

Orlando, FL — The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) strongly condemns the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which strips Medicaid recipients of their right to challenge state decisions that block access to trusted healthcare providers. This ruling is a devastating blow to reproductive justice and a green light for politically motivated attacks on low-income women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ communities.

“This decision is not just a legal technicality—it’s a calculated move to silence the vulnerable, potentially permanently,” said Julie Kent, President of FL NOW. “By denying patients the right to hold states accountable, the Court has opened the door for extremist lawmakers to defund providers like Planned Parenthood without consequence.”  Reproductive rights are a pillar of FL NOW advocacy to safeguard the best medical care for women.

The ruling comes amid a wave of regressive legislation in Florida targeting reproductive freedom, gender-affirming care, and public health infrastructure. FL NOW warns that this decision could embolden Florida officials to further restrict access to essential care under the guise of state discretion.

“We will not stand by while our rights are dismantled,” Kent continued. “FL NOW stipulates that no one should be denied care because of political gamesmanship. Women will die without Medicaid coverage provided by Planned Parenthood.”  We expect legislative safeguards to support reproductive care.  As a group, FL NOW will amplify community voices to raise awareness on the critical nature of this issue.

FL NOW calls on Florida’s elected officials to reject this dangerous precedent and protect the rights of all Medicaid recipients to access qualified, compassionate care. The organization urges allies, advocates, and community members to join the fight for reproductive justice and healthcare equity.

Take Action Now

This ruling is a wake-up call for all Floridians who believe in bodily autonomy, health equity, and justice. We can’t afford silence. Here’s how you can fight back:

• Contact your state legislators and demand protections for Medicaid access and reproductive healthcare.
• Join FL NOW in mobilizing communities across the state. Visit www.flnow.org  to get involved.
• Share your story—real voices shift policy. Use #HealthcareIsAHumanRight and tag @FL_NOW to amplify the movement on social media.
• Donate to organizations defending reproductive justice in Florida. Every dollar helps build resistance against political interference in healthcare.

Together, we can ensure that Florida becomes a place where care, compassion, and choice prevail over control.

Florida NOW: is an intersectional grassroots organization that promotes feminist ideals, leads societal change, eliminates discrimination, and protects the equal rights of all women and girls in all aspects of social, political, and economic life. We envision a Florida where all people experience true equality, equity, safety, and no community is marginalized.

The Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW) joins voices across the nation in demanding that the United States not be drawn into another reckless and unauthorized war—this time with Iran. FL NOW condemns any move of America attacking Iran and supplying weapons to Israel for their war on Iran.

As the Supreme Court deliberates and the Trump administration signals possible military involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, FL NOW calls on Congress to assert its constitutional authority and prevent any use of force without explicit authorization.

“This is not just a foreign policy issue—it’s a human rights crisis in the making,” said Julie Kent President of FL NOW. “We’ve seen this playbook before; fear, escalation, and the silencing of dissent. We will not allow another generation to be sacrificed to endless war.”

FL NOW supports the No War Against Iran Act, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders and co-sponsored by Senators Warren, Van Hollen, and others, which would prohibit the use of federal funds for military action in or against Iran without Congressional approve. A companion resolution in the House, led by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, reinforces this constitutional check on executive power.

FL NOW also highlights the disproportionate impact of war on women, children, and marginalized communities—both abroad and at home. Most wars are started by men, but women and children suffer the most experiencing rape, torture, starvation, and more.

 “War is not gender-neutral,” said Debbie Deland Vice President of FL NOW. “It devastates families, fuels displacement, and diverts resources from healthcare, education, and equity. We need diplomacy, not destruction.”

FL NOW urges:

• Congress to pass the War Powers Resolutions and block unauthorized military action.
• The Trump administration to prioritize de-escalation and diplomacy.
• The public to contact their representatives and senators and demand peace, not provocation.

“We’ve spent trillions on wars (e.g., Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq) while communities in Florida and across the country struggle to access basic care and support,” said Julie Kent. “We say: not again. Not in our name. No war with Iran.”

Contact: Debbie Deland, FL NOW, vp@flnow.org

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2025

President Julie Kent, Florida National Organization for Women (FLNOW), president@flnow.org

AMERICA BECOMES EVEN MORE CRUEL!

$4T added to the deficit, almost a $1T cut to Medicaid, a $300B cut to SNAP food assistance, $4T in tax breaks to wealthiest harms the health and wellbeing of all Americans especially the poor.

This budget also will cut support to food pantries and federal funding to 3 major public health agencies.

Thousands, maybe millions of people will die and/or go hungry.

Trump’s, Congress’ ‘big, beautiful bill’ is a lie. Behind its name are ugly realities and cruelties. This bill is a direct attack on the poor, working families, small businesses, and our environment. These are just some of the atrocities of the 900-page budget bill.

• The $4T in tax cuts for wealthiest results in top 1% receiving $100,000 tax cut each while the bottom 10% lose more than 4% in pay.
• The increase of $4 trillion to the national deficit is irresponsible and unsustainable. We won’t be able to pay the interest on our debt and support programs like Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, etc.
• An increase in Defense spending to $1 trillion dollars, more than the next 9 countries defense spending combined or 40% of all defense spending worldwide. Even half of this spending is unsustainable.
• The Medicaid cuts strip healthcare from 10 million Americans, including 5 million Floridians: 2.7 million children and 1.1 million seniors.
• The budget makes college unattainable for students with low incomes.
• Fraud cannot be used as an excuse in any of these programs since actual fraud is so small.
• Medicaid supports Planned Parenthood Clinics: The Medicaid cuts mean 200 clinics nationwide will close making STD testing and treatment, Mammograms, Reproductive Healthcare including contraception support unavailable to low-income people.
• Medicaid supports rural hospitals, many of which will have to close as they will not have funding to continue to provide care.
• Medicaid supports nursing homes, many of which will close and/or turn out clients.
• The additional Medicaid work requirements are bogus—68% of Medicaid adults are working in FL, same with SNAP.
• The $500 million cut to Medicare will hurt seniors mostly with increased out-of-pocket costs due to new restrictions on coverage and prescription drug benefits.
• SNAP funding is slashed, leaving over 3 million Floridians, including 1.4 million children, at risk of hunger.
• Funding for the Suicide Hotline is cut resulting in death of many of our children.

Total Medicaid spending in FL is $34.6B, two thirds is federal funds. FL pays $10B to $12B of Medicaid cost. FL can’t cover the gap this bill would create. FL, a state with balanced budget requirements, faces a deficit of over $2.8B.

Florida’s economy will take a hit—potentially losing 45,000 jobs and seeing a $4.5 billion decline in GDP.

Cutting Medicaid means a significant increase in the 5-to-10-year gap in how long people live in poor versus well off communities. People thrown off Medicaid will die—their life spans will be shorter. The lifespan difference now is 68 years old versus 78.  Changes to health care providers is likely to shorten life expectancy for all Floridians.

And let’s talk about jobs— Residential solar jobs in Florida—nearly 22,000 at risk, pushing the state backward in clean energy leadership.

Two Shameful Notes:

• Our representatives admit they won’t read this thousand-page bill before voting.
• A provision of the bill allows the government to ignore court rulings, undermining democracy and the rule of law.

Julie Kent, President of FL National Organization for Women, FL NOW, said, “We refuse to let this bill define our future. We demand policies that uplift families, protect healthcare, and safeguard our economy—not just for the wealthiest few, but for all Americans. $4T added to the deficit, almost a $1T cut to Medicaid, a $300B cut to SNAP food assistance, $4T in tax breaks to wealthiest harms the health of all Americans especially the poor and creates unsustainable debt. The 900 page bill is barbaric and will help to cause the demise of America as we know it. We will never stop showing up, calling and emailing our representatives and senators, signing petitions, and as we listen, talk to everyone you know about this terrible regime, this horrific budget.”

CALL TO ACTION

1. CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS IMMEDIATELY
   Call, email, or visit your representatives and senators in Congress. Demand they scuttle most provisions and cuts in the bill.
2. SPREAD AWARENESS
   Most people don’t know what is in the budget. We need share the consequences of this budget. Use your voice on every platform—Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, BlueSky.
   Write and share op-eds, blog posts, or letters to the editor.
   Use hashtags like #DefendOurYouth, #FundSNAP, #ProtectMedicaid to amplify your message.
3. ORGANIZE & VOTE
   Elections have consequences. Hold leaders accountable who back policies that harm our people.
   Re-enroll now for vote-by-mail ballots. Help get out the vote.

Florida NOW: is an intersectional grassroots organization that promotes feminist ideals, leads societal change, eliminates discrimination, and protects the equal rights of all women and girls in all aspects of social, political, and economic life. We envision a Florida where all people experience true equality, equity, safety, and no community is marginalized.