Legislator opposes state abortion funding

May 15--SPRINGFIELD -- State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) says legislation that would expand abortion in Illinois and have taxpayers paying for it not only goes against federal policy, but is also an attack on the sanctity of innocent life.

Last week, HB40 passed in the Senate with a vote of 33-22. It passed in the House in April.

In a press release from Planned Parenthood of Illinois, the agency applauded the vote and stated that Illinois cannot risk turning back the clock on reproductive rights.

The bill would ensure access to safe and legal abortion in Illinois, but Righter and Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) both voted against the legislation. It is headed to Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk next.

In a written statement, Righter said: "Under House Bill 40, which passed the Senate May 10, taxpayers would be forced to pay for all abortions, even elective abortions, for those on Medicaid and covered by state health insurances." Righter adamantly opposed the measure and spoke against it on the Senate floor.

According to Planned Parenthood, HB40 removes discriminatory restrictions on Medicaid and state employee health insurance programs by allowing coverage for all pregnancy-related care, including abortion. This legislation respects that every woman should be able to make her own decisions about pregnancy even if she has insurance through state government, according to a press release from Planned Parenthood.

"This legislation is an attack on taxpayers and an attack on the unborn," Righter said. "Polling clearly shows taxpayers don't want to fund abortion. Even many of those who are pro-choice are in agreement. The state's budget can't afford any expansion of Medicaid, let alone something a majority of people don't want to cover. You can't have liberty and the pursuit of happiness without the first right: the right to life. This legislation walks us backward from that very principle."

He estimates the cost of the legislation could be at millions of dollars.

"Every woman -- no matter where she lives, how much money she makes, or how she gets her health care coverage -- should have access to affordable and comprehensive health care so she can make a personal health decision based on what is best for her and her family," said Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.

A poll conducted by Knights of Columbus/Marist last summer found 62 percent of Americans oppose taxpayer dollars being used to fund abortion. 45 percent of those respondents even identified themselves as pro-choice.

A poll by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in October 2016 found similar results in which 58 percent of likely voters say Medicaid should not cover abortion, while only 36 percent say Medicaid should cover the procedure.

"Thankfully, Gov. Rauner has said he will veto this legislation, and it doesn't appear there are the votes in the House for lawmakers to override," Righter said. "That said, we all must continue to speak up for the unborn and speak out against taxpayer dollars being used to fund abortion. This issue will not be going away anytime soon, especially in Illinois."

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