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Several bills to reduce the number of abortions in Florida are gaining momentum this legislative session. Today supporters of Planned Parenthood held a rally on the capitol steps, but as Whitney Ray tells us, instead of railing against the pro-life legislation, the group focused on the Medicaid expansion.

Planned Parenthood workers and supporters held signs on the steps of the historic capitol Monday.

The focus of the rally; the Medicaid expansion made optional through the Affordable Care Act.

“My colleges need to act now, not next session, to expand access to health insurance to more Florida women and their families,” said State Senator Eleanor Sobel.

While the rally focused mostly on the Medicaid expansion; inside the state capitol legislation to reduce the number of abortions in Florida was moving.

Of the half dozen bills filed. One would outlaw abortions based on the race or sex of the fetus. Another makes killing a fetus while committing a criminal act against the mother a separate crime.

The bill garnering the most attention deals with botched abortions. Last month lawmakers asked poignant questions of a Planned Parenthood lobbyist about what to do if the fetus is still alive after the procedure.

At the rally, CEO of Planned Parenthood of South Florida Lillian Tamayo said their physicians are prepared to handle the situation.

“If confronted with a situation like that, our physicians would provide the appropriate care for both the infant and the woman,” said Tamayo.

After the rally an amended version of the bill passed a committee, with Planned Parenthood’s support. Another bill would allow rape victims who decided to keep their child to take their attacker to court to eliminate the rapist’s parental rights.