* From a letter to state legislators that went out this morning…

NO ABORTION FUNDING IN THE BUDGET

On September 28, 2017, Governor Rauner signed into law House Bill 40, which authorizes the use of taxpayer funds for abortions through Medicaid and state employee health insurance. This new mandate is not eligible for reimbursement by the federal government, putting the entire cost on Illinois taxpayers.

House Bill 40 did not contain an appropriation; therefore, funding for elective abortions will come out of state Medicaid and health insurance funding.

No one knows how many more abortions there will be due to House Bill 40, but no matter the number, the principle is the same: our state tax dollars should not go to pay for abortion. You have the opportunity to ensure that no taxpayer money is used to end the life of any unborn child.

We are asking all members of the Illinois General Assembly to refuse to provide the means for House Bill 40 to accomplish its deadly consequences by including language in annual appropriations denying the use of tax dollars for elective abortions.

Due to our less-restrictive laws, in 2016 there was a 40 percent increase in the number of people coming to Illinois from out-of-state to undergo an abortion, forcing Illinois taxpayers not only to pay for abortions of Illinois citizens but of those from out-of-state. House Bill 40 will accelerate this trend.

Please work with us to protect taxpayers and unborn children.

Robert Gilligan, Executive Director
Catholic Conference of Illinois

Mary Kate Knorr, Executive Director
Ralph Rivera, Legislative Chairman
Illinois Right to Life Action

Dawn Behnke, President
Illinois Federation For Right to Life

Bonnie Quirke, President
Lake County Right to Life

Eric Scheidler, Executive Director
Pro-Life Action League

This could make it more difficult to reach a budget deal. We’ll see.

*** UPDATE *** Statement from Brigid Leahy, Senior Director of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Illinois…

“Whether she has private or government-funded health insurance, every woman should have coverage for a full range of pregnancy-related care, including abortion. Last year, the Illinois General Assembly recognized the right of women to safe and legal abortion regardless of how much money they make or how they get health care coverage when it passed HB 40. And, Governor Bruce Rauner showed leadership when he signed the bill into law. Now, in the last days of the legislative session, anti-abortion groups are calling for legislators to hold up the budget process so that they can deny a woman health coverage and overturn HB 40. This move is dangerous for the women who rely on Medicaid and State Employee Health Insurance, and it is irresponsible to all Illinoisans who are relying on the timely passage of a state budget. We urge the members of the General Assembly to pass a budget that serves the interests of all Illinoisans and not be distracted by cynical attempts to insert the issue of abortion into the process.”

…Adding… ACLU…

When it comes to the most important decisions in life – including whether to become a parent – a woman must be able to consider all options available to her, regardless of how little money she makes or how she is insured. Last year Illinois took a big step in respecting this goal for all women. Because of House Bill 40 being enacted into law, the State of Illinois joined the list of states recognizing that coverage for comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion, is critical to women’s health.

Politicians should not be allowed to deny a woman’s health coverage simply because she is poor. And attempting to turn back the clock through a budget maneuver should not be tolerated. Politicians have no business controlling the decision-making process for women regarding their most personal health care decisions.