Taxpayers May Now Have to Fund Abortions in Oregon

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Jul 03, 2017

Taxpayers May Now Have to Fund Abortions in Oregon

The Oregon House of Representatives has passed a bill which would use taxpayer money to provide free abortions even to illegal immigrants.

According to The Washington Times, the Reproductive Health Equity Act passed 33-23 after a lengthy debate in the House. It was not supported by any Republicans lawmakers.

The bill involves allocating $10.2 million of the state’s budget for contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, vasectomies, and abortions.

“Affordable access to reproductive health care shouldn’t depend on who you are, where you live, or how much you earn,” tweeted Democratic state Rep. Julie Fahey after voting for the measure.

While Oregon Democrats championed the bill by stating, “Oregon is once again leading the way on health care!” Republicans regret that they were unable to block it.

Republican Rep. Jodi Hack went so far as to describe the vote on Saturday as “the saddest day I have experienced in the Oregon Legislature.”

“This highly contentious bill isn’t about health care or about people, it is a political gift card to Planned Parenthood,” added Jonathan Lockwood, communications director for the Senate Republican Caucus.

Pro-abortion and pro-life groups also had strong reactions to the bill. NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon applauded the measure and even took credit for pushing it forward.

Meanwhile, Oregon Right to Life executive director Gayle Atteberry accused Democrats of pushing the bill in order to reward Planned Parenthood, which she called “one of their primary campaign supporters.”

“This terrible legislation is just another example of how Oregon’s largest abortion provider’s only real concern is for their financial bottom line,” said Atteberry in a statement. “The Oregon Health Authority testified [Thursday] that HB 3391-B will provide almost $500,000 more for abortions. Make no mistake: most of this money is going to Planned Parenthood.”

The bill now goes on to the Democrat-controlled state Senate.

 

Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/stevanovicigor

Publication date: July 3, 2017



Taxpayers May Now Have to Fund Abortions in Oregon