Reproductive rights should be matter of choice
Palm Beach Post (Florida)
October 24, 2024 Thursday
1 Edition
As both a husband and father, my greatest responsibility is to protect and support my family. As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, that responsibility extends to fighting for policies that ensure the safety, prosperity and freedom of all Floridians. I want my wife and daughter to have access to the highest quality health care, but with Florida’s growing restrictions on abortion, I’m deeply concerned – not only for their future but for the millions of women, girls and survivors of sexual assault whose health care options are being stripped away.
For the past eight years, I have seen the Republican majority chip away at women’s reproductive health care year after year. The 2023 Legislative session’s assault on women’s health was unlike any I have witnessed before in my eight years in the Florida House. At a historic pace, a 6-week abortion ban was discussed, voted on, passed, and signed into law.
Limitations on women’s health care are dangerous for women and put health care providers in impossible positions. In Florida, due to the six-week ban, we are witnessing a mass exodus of medical professionals, and practicing OB-GYN’s have indicated it is increasingly more challenging to practice safely and offer the level of care they want for their patients. Couple that with the governor’s office using public agencies to target individuals and organizations who are supporting Amendment 4 politically, it begs the question: Do medical professionals risk being targeted for providing abortions, even within the six-week time frame?
Health care decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor, not by politicians. Women should be able to trust their doctors to provide the best care possible, and girls should grow up knowing they have the right to make decisions about their own bodies.
Amendment 4, the Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, is our chance to stop this dangerous trend. The amendment states “no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.” It will ensure that abortion is legal until viability, and stop government overreach into private medical decisions. I want every woman in Florida to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can get the care they need, when they need it, without interference from politicians.
Amendment 4 is about ensuring Florida’s health care system remains strong, our doctors can do their jobs without fear, and patients’ health is a priority.
The overwhelming majority of Floridians believe we should have the freedom to make our own personal health care decisions without interference from politicians. I’m proud to support Amendment 4, and I hope you’ll join me in voting to restore reproductive freedom in Florida. Please vote YES on Amendment 4.
David Silvers is a state representative for District 89, which includes parts of West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Lake Clarke Shores and Palm Springs.
Your Turn
David Silvers
Guest columnist
Florida is achieving strides in mental health care, but major gaps need work
Palm Beach Post (Florida)
May 29, 2024 Wednesday
1 Edition
As we come to the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, it is imperative that we focus on mental health advocacy. For far too long, there has been a stigma associated with seeking treatment for mental health disorders whether it be cerebral issues, such as depression, or physical issues, such as anorexia, cutting and bulimia.
When not properly treated, individuals can fall into a tailspin that can escalate well beyond what preventative treatment can address. Preventative treatment can help address the root cause of mental health issues well before reactive care does. Once an individual’s mental well-being has spiraled to where the primary provider is local law enforcement, the likelihood of getting stuck in a cycle of receiving public mental health services is extremely high.
This is the primary reason I have focused on children’s mental health once I was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. If we can address these issues at a younger age and provide preventative care, then the wellbeing of so many children can be preserved.
Some progress but more to be done
Over the past eight legislative sessions, I have filed, passed and had signed into law five mental-health bills by two different governors. In 2017, I passed House Bill 1183. The bill created a Baker Act Task Force to investigate the use of the Baker Act on minors, with particular focus on children sent for medical evaluation by school authorities. The task force met for six months and provided a list of recommendations to the Florida Legislature.
In 2019, I filed bills based on several of the task force’s recommendations, HB 361 and HB 363. Both were enacted. I followed that up in 2020 with HB 945, which requires the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration to identify children who are frequent users of crisis stabilization services and to meet their behavioral health needs. This bill also created protocols for Mobile Response Teams (“MRTs”) for de-escalation of behavioral health events at schools, a measure lauded in a statewide grand jury report assessing Florida’s mental health framework.
In 2023, I filed and passed HB 829, which requires the Department of Children and Families to update and maintain key information resources that help law enforcement officers, school administrators, clinicians, facility directors and others who implement the Baker Act to understand the law and act correctly. The legislation helps preserve an individual’s liberty while ensuring those who truly need treatment will get it.
In this past session – my last due to term limits – I filed HB 951, and I am proud that all of the substantive elements of the bill were amended into the omnibus mental health bill, HB 7021. The amended language requires law enforcement officers to provide a parent or guardian with the name, address, and contact information for the facility within the designated receiving system to which the officer is transporting the minor, for a mental health evaluation. It also creates an Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman to be a central point to receive complaints on behalf of children and adolescents with behavioral health disorders receiving state funded services. This information will be used to improve child and adolescent mental health treatment.
There is still so much that needs to be done. I would like to see a mental health professional at every school in our state. Mental health issues don’t start in high school. They build up over time, and if we can address these issues at an early age then everyone benefits.
I would also love to see a Department of Mental Health, so that all mental health services are under one roof, as opposed to having them under the Department of Children and Families, Agency for Healthcare Administration, and the Department of Health. Sometimes the agencies don’t work with one another, impairing the ability to provide services. I look to continue working to help improve the safety net for so many children that slip through the cracks.
David Silvers is a Democrat representing District 89 in the Florida House of Representatives.
Your Turn
David Silvers
Guest columnist
20 current, former lawmakers endorse David Silvers for Senate
The endorsements are pouring in for Lake Clarke Shores Democratic Rep. David Silvers’ bid to take the seat representing Senate District 26 in two years.
Silvers’ campaign over the weekend announced the endorsements of 20 current and former Democratic state lawmakers. Among them: Jacksonville Sen. Tracie Davis, who will be Senate Minority Leader in 2026; Miami Gardens Sen. Shevrin Jones, who serves as Chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party; and St. Petersburg Sen. Darryl Rouson
In a statement Monday, Silvers said the flood of support speaks to his “ability to bring forward real solutions to improve the lives of Florida’s youth, families, and seniors.”
“I’m honored to have the support of so many of our Democratic leaders,” Silvers said.
“As Floridians are facing rising costs on everything from housing to food, funding cuts on our health care and public education, and ever-increasing assaults on individuals based on their race, gender, ethnicity, faith, and sexual orientation, we need a Senator who will stand up for what’s right and work to get things done for our community. I’ve served in the legislature, have a track record of success, and will be ready to hit the ground running on day one.”
Others endorsing Silvers, who is running to succeed Boynton Beach Democratic Sen. Lori Berman when she terms out in 2026, include:
— Fort Lauderdale Rep. Daryl Campbell.
— Boynton Beach Rep. Joe Casello.
— Dania Beach Rep. Hillary Cassel.
— Homestead Rep. Kevin Chambliss.
— Coral Springs Rep. Dan Daley.
— Davie Rep. Mike Gottlieb, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus.
— Boca Raton Rep. Kelly Skidmore.
— Tampa Rep. Susan Valdes.
— Wellington Rep. Katherine Waldron.
— South Miami Mayor Javier Fernández, a former state Representative.
— Former House Minority Leader Bobby DuBose.
— Former Miami-Dade Democratic Party Chair, State Committeeman and Rep. Joe Geller, who is now running for the Miami-Dade School Board.
— Former House Minority Leader Evan Jenne.
— Former Rep. Ben Diamond.
— Former Rep. Nick Duran.
— Former Rep. Katie Edwards.
— Former Rep. Matt Willhite.
Elected in 2016, Silvers has prioritized — and successfully passed legislation to support — children’s mental health, education reform, women’s health issues, criminal justice reform and protections for financially vulnerable citizens.
He’s earned numerous laurels, including the Florida Board of Governors’ 2024 Legislative Excellence in Higher Education Award, Big Brothers Big Sisters 2021 Legislative Champion Award, Florida Housing Coalition’s 2020 Housing Champion Award and the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Legislative Star Award from Film Florida.
His community involvements include volunteer work with Florida Blue Key, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, NAMI Palm Beach County, League of Women Voters Palm Beach County, Helping Hands and Meals on Wheels.
He works as an e-commerce and publishing executive in private life.
Silvers announced his candidacy for SD 26 last June after canceling a bid for Senate District 24 so Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard and West Palm Beach Sen. Bobby Powell could attempt a seat swap this year.
He’s set to face at least one Primary opponent in the 2026 election cycle: Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Yvette Drucker, who clinched an endorsement last week from Berman and Boca Raton Sen. Tina Polsky.
West Palm Beach Rep. Rick Roth is the only Republican to file for the contest so far.
SD 26 covers a southern portion of Palm Beach County, including Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Delray Beach and South Bay.