Gov Desantis Could Harm Babies, Mothers and Children during Coronavirus Pandemic by signing HB 1135

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - March 26, 2020 - PRLog -- During coronavirus pandemic, Florida could increase infant mortality, harming babies, moms and children by signing into law HB 1135. The bill  will negatively impact Florida's ability to win the war against coronavirus when it comes to protecting babies, moms and children.

The bill removes resources that are targeted to the March of Dimes (Florida) that is available for its March of Dimes Mom and Babies Covid-19 Intervention and Support Fund. Pregnant women. mothers and babies are uniquely at risk during the pandemic. Proceeds from the Live The Dream specialty plate goes to the March of Dimes to protect pregnant women, mothers and babies from challenges such as those being presented by the coronavirus and  the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions who has received proceeds since 2004 as a sub-recipients of the plate. Like the March of Dimes,  Healthy Start Coalitions in Florida are on the front lines for helping mothers and their small children with a mission  to develop and support local health systems of care to optimize the health of babies, moms and children, which is needed more than ever during this global pandemic. HB 1135 takes away those much-needed resources from this important health player as well, as it removes them as a recipient of critical dollars for this important mission.

Its puzzling why the Governor, at this time of a global pandemic, would we create new specialty plates at all …. some for out of state Universities, to not only compete with those currently providing critical needs to the state, but also placing additional stress on a state government agency that is working under unusual circumstances to serve our state and keep us safe during this perilous time.

By  vetoing HB 1135 on behalf of the many babies, moms and families that rely on those critical services provided buy the March of Dimes and our State Healthy Start Coalitions who are needed more than ever now and are on the front lines of the fight this dangerous global virus, the governor, whose wife is also an expecting mother,  would save lives. The Dream Foundation, who has as our core mission to promote and communicate the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, understands that  how we respond to this crisis is also an opportunity to express  Dr Kings humanitarian ideals,  that look out for the least of us especially babies and mothers in our health care system during a critical time in our nation's history. http://www.livethedreamfoundation.com