Republican lawmakers in Indiana are linking a proposal to ban most abortions in the state with proposals to increase spending to support pregnant women, youthful children and adoption services.
The Related press reported that one application had been allocated $45 million more in the coming year to agencies supporting pregnant women and women who have recently given birth. The support will go to families with children under the age of 4 and comes with a $5 million increase in tax credits for adoptive families. A separate bill from Republican lawmakers would allocate $58 million for pregnancy services, including $30 million for pregnancy-related Medicaid for low-income families.
“For people of childbearing age who have children they can’t care for, we want Indiana to help them have healthy babies and take care of them once they get here,” states Senator Sue Glick (R) ) told the AP. She added that funds could be directed to pregnancy centers “where information can be provided to people who simply don’t know” what to do when they are pregnant.
A separate law banning abortion that was issued after the overthrow of the Supreme Court Roe v. Wade behind schedule last month, would allow exceptions for cases of rape, incest and maternal survival.
“I am confident that we will find a thoughtful solution that shows compassion for both mothers and children,” GOP House Speaker Todd Huston told the AP.
Indiana lawmakers are meeting in a special session on Monday to discuss legislation banning abortion. NPR reported that Vice President Kamala Harris is traveling to Indianapolis to meet with some lawmakers to discuss abortion rights.
Today, the Indiana State Legislature meets in a special session to ban abortion. I’m going to Indianapolis to meet with Indiana legislators and advocates who are fighting on the front lines to protect reproductive rights.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 25, 2022
“Our fundamental goal is to protect human life, promoting more adoptions and fewer abortions by limiting abortion to the life of the mother, rape and incest,” Bray said last week, according to NPR.
From Roe was overturned, several states have banned or restricted abortion, including Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
