Oregon abortion activists just may have pushed their radical agenda too far this summer.
A bill currently in front of pro-abortion Gov. Kate Brown’s desk would force health insurers and taxpayers to pay for free abortions for residents and illegal immigrants. The legislature passed the bill earlier this summer, and Brown, a former abortion lobbyist, is expected to sign it.
Pro-life advocates said the pro-abortion bill could backfire.
“Democrats have made clear that they are in favor of more late-term and sex-selective abortions,” David Kilada, political director at Oregon Right to Life told The Washington Times. “Not to mention undocumented immigrants can now get abortions for free. That’s not what Oregonians want, and I think it will be a big part of the campaign next year.”
Kilada said Oregon already has some of the most pro-abortion laws in the country and allows late-term abortions for any reason up to birth. His pro-life group pointed out that the new bill also forces taxpayers to fund abortions – something most taxpayers oppose.
“I think the statement of Gov. Brown signing this bill would be that abortion is a central part of her campaign. And we’ll make sure the voters know that,” Kilada continued.
Shannon Henshaw of Oregon Life United said her group also has heard from many people who are upset by Oregon’s pro-abortion laws.
“I think a lot of people were already concerned about the number of abortions in the state that are paid for by taxpayer dollars,” Henshaw told the Daily Caller. “And because H.B. 3391 is so extreme, I think it’s generated some additional fervor to put a stop to that.”
Here’s more from the report:
H.B. 3391, the Reproductive Health Equity Act, would allocate $10.2 million to the Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program, to pay for reproductive services for women who would be eligible “except for their immigration status.” Of that amount, about $500,000 is earmarked for abortions [including for illegal immigrants].
The bill has an exemption for houses of worship and religious non-profits, but pro-life groups said the exemption is very weak.
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According to Oregon Right to Life, many insurance plans in the state already cover abortions, and there is no guarantee that there will be insurance options in the future that do not cover abortions.
“HB 3391-B would force health insurance companies to cover abortions and leave it up to them whether to provide a separate abortion-free plan for religious organizations,” according to the pro-life group.
Oregon Democrats claimed the bill is about ensuring access to “health care,” but it really is about abortion.
Polls consistently show that most Americans oppose taxpayer-funded abortions.
A Politico/Harvard University poll in October 2016 found that a majority of voters oppose taxpayer funding for abortions. Just 36 percent of likely voters supported the issue, while 58 percent opposed it. These findings are consistent with previous polls from various groups.
What’s more, the poll found voters who make more than $75,000 were more supportive of forcing taxpayers to fund abortions (45 percent in favor), while those who make $25,000 or less were strongly against it (24 percent in favor).
Action: To ask the governor to veto HB 3391, please click here.
