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Could Rauner be the first to sign taxpayer funding of abortion into law?

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Illinois

* From the Catholic Conference of Illinois…

Hi Rich,

There’s an interesting tidbit about HB 40 if Gov. Rauner signs it into law. It was brought to our attention by professor Michael New at Ave Maria University in Florida. He studies abortion trends and the impact of public policy on those trends. […]

Fifteen states currently fund elective abortions through Medicaid. In 11 states this is because of a court order.

However, the four states where the policy is “voluntary” (HI, MD, NY, WA) all legalized abortion before Roe v. Wade. The legislation which legalized abortion did not contain any language about funding abortion through Medicaid. What happened is that after abortion was legalized, administrative agencies in these 4 states decided (on their own) to reimburse doctors and hospitals for abortions. Subsequent legal action by pro-lifers was unable to reverse the policy.

So, if Gov. Rauner signs HB 40, he would literally be the first governor to sign legislation that would start taxpayer funding for elective abortions in his or her state.

* Meanwhile…

The Illinois Republican delegation to Congress signed onto a letter sent to Rauner on Tuesday, urging him to veto HB40.

“As you have said yourself, this bill wrongfully requires taxpayers to participate in funding abortions,” the letter reads. “While the political pressure may feel extreme, we respectfully ask you to focus on the underlying issue and not waiver [sic] on your commitment to protect taxpayers as well as the most vulnerable members of our community. We ask you to veto this harmful legislation.” Read the letter

[Personal PAC’s Terry Cosgrove] said the assertions in the letter that the bill would allow late-term abortion in Illinois is “a complete political red herring.” “Post-viability abortions are not legal in Illinois and doctors don’t do them. Late-term abortions are already outlawed in Illinois and that was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:15 am

Comments

To get to Ave Maria University located in Ave Maria, Florida, take Pope John Paul II Blvd west to Annunciation Circle. Yes, those are actual streets.

Comment by City Zen Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:25 am
How many other states had a candidate, and a candidate’s wife, tell a state that the candidate had “no social agenda”?

Rauner himself in the written questionnaire made clear that every single provision he supported.

HB40 should be an easy sign for Rauner, given that pesky questionnaire and Diana Rauner and her “word” to an entire state.

Why isn’t it?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:30 am
Well he made history with the budget impasse, why not with this legislation. /s

Of note- For the Congressional Letter, all are white males. These are the same men who have supported the various HACA bills. Can’t see that, overall, they are very concerned with the health and well-being of their constituents. Politics is more important.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:35 am
Correction- AHCA.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:37 am
HB 40 is an easy sign for a Republican Governor?

If it is so easy how come no Democratic Governor has signed a similar bill?

Because voluntarily using taxpayer funds for abortion is an extreme position only 4 other states currently do

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:49 am
This is cold but should be right up conservatives’ alley. How much does it cost to raise a child to adulthood? It’s over $100K for 18 yrs isn’t it? How much extra would it cost society to treat/deal with a troubled child/teen/adult growing up knowing s/he’s unwanted? Compare to cost of abortion.

Comment by cailleach Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:36 am
===HB 40 is an easy sign for a Republican Governor?===

Rauner is not a Republican governor. Rauner is a Raunerite.

The RaunerS have that pesky questionnaire that makes clear Rauner supported all aspects of HB40, Rich had a whole post about it too.

It should be simple for Rauner to sign, he told, in writing, he supported all HB40 elements. Not too difficult to follow along.

===If it is so easy how come no Democratic Governor has signed a similar bill?===

Rauner is facing it now. Deflecting to “others” isn’t really honest or helping. Rauner is facing it. Now. Not hypothetically.

===Because voluntarily using taxpayer funds for abortion is an extreme position only 4 other states currently===

Then you should ask Bruce Rauner why he supported that in the questionnaire, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 12:59 pm
We can not afford this. Hell Illinois can afford any new spending.

Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:11 pm
Downstate H - see cailleach above if you want to discuss costs involved in decision

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:32 pm
@cailleach

Woof. That’s cold alright.

Somebody call Brittany Carl.

Comment by Jack Kemp Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:57 pm
@lucky pierre:

A true Conservative supports the Constitutional Right to Privacy in the Supreme Court decision Roe V Wade. It gets the Government out of our personal lives. Freedom and Liberty.

If you oppose it then you support a Liberal, Nanny-State Government.

Not sure where Bruce -n- Di fit in the political spectrum.

Comment by Mike Cirrincione Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 2:21 pm