North Star State is one of several states seeking pro-life alternatives as access to abortion expands.
ROAD. PAUL, Minn. — Rachel Copeland-Nunn did not have health insurance during her last two pregnancies, but she received free prenatal care and baby supplies at a pro-life pregnancy resource center in St. Paul, which receives public funding from the government. from Minnesota.
“Today I have three beautiful, healthy children that I raised as a single mother, and the youngest two children are here thanks to the medical staff at Options for Women East,” Copeland-Nunn told a legislative committee earlier this spring, promoting the which she called "the care and compassion" she received "for me and my baby as whole people".
Copeland-Nunn urged lawmakers not to abolish a state program called Positive Alternatives, which provides about $3.35 million a year to25 crisis pregnancy centersin Minnesota, including options for Oriental women.
“As a black mother raising my children alone, places like this are sorely needed in my community. I know I'm not alone in this situation, working and trying to keep it under control." Copeland-Nunnthesethe Minnesota House Health Policy and Finance Committee on March 29.
But the scholarship program, started in 2005, is coming to an end. A health bill finalized in recent days eliminates state funding for Positive Alternatives, including nearly $200,000 a year that goes to Options for Women East.
Abortion policy at stake
These pregnancy centers do not provide or promote abortion, and their pro-life stance is under attack by politicians in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Women who come to pro-life pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) are “denied access to comprehensive reproductive health education, counseling, and referral,” and the abolition of the program “promotes equity and inclusion to the extent that medical information can be provided impartially and without judgement”. individually sensitive way," saysthe budget proposal bookfrom Governor Tim Walz, who in January 2023 signed a bill that defines abortion as a “fundamental right” in state law.
More recently, the governor signed a lawprotect women who come to Minnesota for abortionsof possible legal repercussions in their home states.
A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Health pointed the Register to another passage in the budget book that reads: “The MDH recognizes the importance of supporting reproductive information and comprehensive and accurate health care and supporting families with young children to thrive. . Repeal of this section will end a program that does not support that objective.”
the governor tootold the Minnesota Public Radio Newsin January that the subsidy program resulted in "misinformation" being given to pregnant women who "deserve to have the full picture".
Pro-abortion policy advocates and their allies claim that crisis pregnancy centers mislead women seeking abortions at their pro-life facilities and mislead them with false information about their pregnancy and how much time do they have to make a decision? And some media outlets report these claims as fact: the pro-abortion argument was summarized in a caption for a graphic ina news report published by Minnesota Public Radioin January, which stated: "'Crisis Pregnancy Centers' are bogus anti-abortion clinics that spread misinformation, encouraging expectant mothers not to obtain abortion services."
positive experiences
But this is not the experience of Copeland-Nunn, 28, whose children are 9, 4 and 4 months old. She told the Register that she never considered abortion because she believes it is murder, but that she did consider adopting her youngest daughter, and that Options for Women East helped her keep all of her children and "helped me provide them with a better quality of life". .
She said she never felt cheated or betrayed at Options for Women East. “If anyone is ripping anyone off, it's the abortion clinics,” she said.
Staff at crisis pregnancy centers contacted by the Registry say they provide free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds and (in some places) testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, as well as convenience items such as diapers, baby wipes, clothing, strollers, car seats, pack-and-play cribs, formula and breastfeeding supplies.
Removing state funding will force them to scale back the services they provide, they say.
“It will be devastating for some of our metropolitan affiliates who provide so much material support and for the women who receive it,” said Vaunae Hansel, president of Elevate Life, an affiliate of the Archdiocese of St. 35 affiliates of the Minnesota Crisis Pregnancy Center, including Options for Women East, in a phone interview with the Registry. “And it will only affect the poorest neighborhoods, so that's what worries me a lot. … We must expand our support to our high-risk, low-income population, not cut it.”
Trend in pro-abortion states
Minnesota is one of several pro-abortion states that is expanding access to abortion while discouraging certain alternatives.
In Illinois, the state legislature passed ainvoiceMay 11 that allows the state attorney general to prosecute crisis pregnancy centers if they engage in what the bill calls "deceptive practices." The bill provides for a civil fine of up to $50,000. It also allows "any party aggrieved by a violation of law" to sue pregnancy centers in state court. The governor is expected to sign off on the bill.
State Attorney General Kwame Raoul, a Democrat,said in marchshe saw firsthand “deceptive crisis pregnancy center tactics” when she visited a Planned Parenthood center in Illinois and observed pro-lifers trying to divert abortion candidates to a pro-life pregnancy center. In a written statement, Raoul called the behavior "an extreme violation of patient trust and privacy that should not occur in our state."
But opponents of the bill say it violates the First Amendment to the US Constitution and targets organizations that do good.
"It's going to create a sort of chilling effect on the pregnancy center's discourse, and that's what they want," Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Illinois Catholic Conference, which represents the state's bishops, said in a telephone interview.
Connecticutenacted a comparable (though slightly different) billin May 2021, leading to a federal lawsuit by an organization that operates a crisis pregnancy center in the state. the demandwas withdrawnafter the state attorney general acknowledged in court documents that he had no evidence that any pregnancy center violated the law.
In June 2022, the Governor of New York signed into lawinvoiceauthorizing the state health commissioner “to conduct a study and issue a report examining … the impact of limited-service pregnancy centers on women’s ability to obtain accurate, non-coercive information about medical care and timely access to a wide range of services reproductive and sexual”. health services".
“Really, it's just to keep them from doing the job that they do,” Kristen Curran, director of government relations for the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the state's bishops on public policy issues, said by phone.
He added that so far no substantive action on the bill appears to have resulted.
different atmosphere
Abortion advocates have long opposed pregnancy centers. Some of the same arguments against its use today, for example, made the news in 2005, when Minnesota first implemented its Positive Alternatives grant program for pro-life pregnancy resource centers.
Minnesota had a divided government when the Positive Alternatives billwas enacted in May 2005. The governor at the time, Tim Pawlenty, was a pro-life Republican. Republicans also controlled the state's House of Representatives. But the state senate was controlled by the Democratic Farmers Labor Party (the state affiliate of the national Democratic Party). Even so, the bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers (53-11 no senatey112-17 in the House).
no time,the national platform of the Democratic PartyHe said: "Abortion should be safe, legal and rare."
but the partyleft that languagesince its platform in 2008. And the political atmosphere is markedly different now.
“The abortion industry decided about 10 years ago that they would go after pregnancy centers, and the way they do that is by leveraging their power in state legislatures,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Columbus-based Heartbeat International. . Ohio, which operates nearly 3,300 affiliated pro-life pregnancy resource centers, including more than 2,000 in the United States.
Following the decision of the US Supreme Court.Dobbsdecision in June 2022, annullingRoe contra Wadeand by sending abortion law back to the states, abortion advocates in state legislatures are unwilling to tolerate pro-life efforts.
"Abortion advocates understand that pregnancy resource centers are the beating heart of the pro-life movement," said Maggee Hangge, policy and public affairs associate for the Minnesota Catholic Conference, which represents the state's bishops, in a email message to the Registry.
“Maternity resource centers are the embodiment of love in action, showing that we can love mothers and babies alike and offer a credible witness to pro-life principles,” she said. "This story undermines the pro-abortion narrative of trying to link abortion rights to women's well-being and pitting a mother against her child."
“It is a great irony that abortion advocates claim that the pro-life community does not care about women,” added Hangge, “and when we create hundreds of PRCs, they say they are a danger to women and try to close them down. . ”
FAQs
What does Roe v Wade protect? ›
The Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973, decriminalized abortion nationwide. It protected the right to access abortion legally all across the country, and freed many patients to access the care they needed when they needed it — without fear.
Does Medicaid cover abortions in NJ? ›Yes. New Jersey protects the right to abortion for all pregnant persons, including minors. but can't afford one? New Jersey Family Care (Medicaid), as well as many private health plans, cover abortion.
Does Medicaid cover abortions in NY? ›Insurance, including Medicaid, covers abortion services so that cost is not a barrier. If you don't have a health care provider, you can talk to a NYS Family Planning Program provider near you.
What did the Roe v. Wade decision overturn mean? ›The decision overturned the longstanding Constitutional right to abortion and eliminated federal standards on abortion access that had been established by earlier decisions in the cases, Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
What case overturned Roe v. Wade? ›In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022), the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (1973), which guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover abortion in New York? ›Under the new policy of Greater New York's Blue Cross, which is known as the Associ ated Hospital Service of New York, abortion benefits will be the same as Maternity bene fits—from $80 to $150, depend ing on the type of contract— and will cover abortions per formed either on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Is abortion covered by insurance in New Jersey? ›New Jersey is the eighth state nationally to require abortion coverage in private health insurance plans.
Does health insurance cover abortions in NJ? ›State law protects the right to terminate a pregnancy without government interference. Therefore, abortion is part of comprehensive insurance coverage for reproductive care and should reasonably be included in the range of services coverage by health insurance.
Are abortions free with MassHealth? ›This includes postpartum care, abortions and emergency contraceptives, which continue to be legal and accessible in Massachusetts. MassHealth covers a broad range of family planning, reproductive health, and postpartum care services, all with no out-of-pocket costs.
Does Cigna pay for abortions? ›Standard Cigna benefit plans consider both elective and therapeutic abortion to be covered benefits. Cigna covers medically necessary treatment of complications following an abortion.
Who pays for abortions in New York State? ›
You may be eligible for New York State Medicaid to cover your abortion procedure. Pregnant New Yorkers can qualify for Medicaid at higher income levels and regardless of immigration status.
Which justices voted to overturn Roe? ›The Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling overturning Roe on June 24. Alito wrote the court's opinion. Joining him were Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett.
What happened in Roe v. Wade for dummies? ›The Roe v. Wade Ruling, 1973. In its 1973 decision Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court recognized that the right to liberty in the Constitution, which protects personal privacy, includes the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy.
Who voted against Roe? ›Justices appointed by Republican presidents voted to overturn the landmark abortion-rights ruling. These are: Samuel Alito. Clarence Thomas.
What did Planned Parenthood v Casey do? ›Casey. Planned Parenthood v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992), was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in which the Court upheld the right to have an abortion as established by the "essential holding" of Roe v.
What was the impact of the Griswold v Connecticut ruling? ›The Supreme Court's ruling in Griswold v. Connecticut marked the beginning of an era of change for sexual and reproductive rights in the United States. Ruling that the states had no right to ban contraception for married couples, the landmark decision in the Griswold v.
Who won Dobbs v Jackson? ›The majority opinion, joined by five of the justices, held that abortion was not a protected right under the Constitution, overturning both Roe and Casey, and returned the decision regarding abortion regulations back to the states. As a result, Dobbs is considered a landmark decision of the Court.
Does Fidelis cover abortion? ›Fidelis Care covers medically necessary abortions and elective abortions allowing for one (1) procedure per Member, per Plan Year. You do not need a referral from your PCP to access these services.
Does Cdphp cover abortions? ›$100 co-pay /visit Not Covered Abortions (exempt and non-exempt) are covered under your medical benefit, Limits apply. Cost share may apply for initial visit to determine pregnancy.
Who pays for abortions in NJ? ›All of the Medicaid health plans under NJ FamilyCare cover abortion services. New Jersey residents can check their eligibility by visiting the NJ FamilyCare website or the Department of Human Services website.
Can you get an abortion in New Jersey 2023? ›
Yes. Abortion is legal in New Jersey. There is no limit on abortion in New Jersey based on how far along in pregnancy you are.
Does MassHealth cover in vitro? ›Note: MassHealth covers only the diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of infertility. There are no benefits for IUI or IVF services.
Does MassHealth cover mifepristone? ›As described below, mifepristone and misoprostol remain fully available in Massachusetts, and MassHealth will continue coverage without prior authorization.
Is abortion pill covered by MassHealth? ›Consistent with the standard of care, MassHealth will continue covering medication abortions and medical management of miscarriage using a combined regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol or misoprostol alone, as appropriate.
Does Aetna cover the cost of the abortion pill? ›Two major health insurers, Aetna Inc. and the Cigna Corporation, have decided to pay for the RU-486 abortion pill, though they said they expected some employers to exclude such coverage from their benefit plans.
How to code a missed abortion? ›ICD-10 code O02. 1 for Missed abortion is a medical classification as listed by WHO under the range - Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium .
Is misoprostol covered by insurance? ›Misoprostol is likely included as a pharmacy benefit in most plans already because it is used to treat ulcers. However, PBMs will need to ensure that misoprostol is covered for the purpose of abortion, as opposed to another medically-accepted indication.
What companies have offered to pay for abortions? ›- Amazon.com. The e-commerce giant — which employs 1.6 million workers — said it will reimburse up to $4,000 in travel costs for abortions. ...
- Citigroup. ...
- Dick's Sporting Goods. ...
- JPMorgan Chase. ...
- MasterCard. ...
- Paypal. ...
- Tesla.
Under New York law Doctors and Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) - such as Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Licensed Midwives - can perform abortion care that is within their scope of practice.
Did Governor Hochul announce nation leading $35 million investment to support abortion providers in New York? ›Building on a nation-leading $35 million investment to support abortion providers last year, Governor Hochul also announced that if the abortion medication Mifepristone is taken off the market, the State will commit up to an additional $20 million to providers to support access to other methods of care.
Is Roe v. Wade equal protection? ›
Roe v. Wade grounds constitutional protections for women's decision whether to end a pregnancy in the Due Process Clauses. But in the four decades since Roe, the U.S. Supreme Court has come to recognize the abortion right as an equality right as well as a liberty right.
What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade quizlet? ›The US Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, affirms the legality of a woman's right to have an abortion under the Fourteenth amendment to the Constitution.
Why was Roe v. Wade a controversial case quizlet? ›More specifically the case challenged the laws which forbid doctors from attempting abortions unless the mothers life was in danger. The laws previously instated laws incriminated and infuriated doctors who were in trouble under the law for performing abortions.
Which is a main in the right to privacy? ›The Fourth Amendment protects the right of privacy against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. The Fifth Amendment provides for the right against self-incrimination, which justifies protection of private information.
What does the 5th Amendment say about due process? ›The Fifth Amendment says to the federal government that no one shall be "deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law." The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, uses the same eleven words, called the Due Process Clause, to describe a legal obligation of all states.
What is the 14th Amendment in simple terms? ›Passed by the Senate on June 8, 1866, and ratified two years later, on July 9, 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to all persons "born or naturalized in the United States," including formerly enslaved people, and provided all citizens with “equal protection under the laws,” extending the provisions of ...
Was Roe v. Wade overturned or overruled? ›Wade. Photo by Patty Housman. On Friday, June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark piece of legislation that made access to an abortion a federal right in the United States.
What did the Supreme Court decide in Roe vs Wade 1973? ›Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States generally protects a pregnant individual's liberty to have an abortion.
Which action would violate the Ninth Amendment? ›Which action would violate the Ninth Amendment? restricted state laws governing privacy.
Is the right to privacy absolute according to the Roe v. Wade 1973 Supreme Court ruling quizlet? ›According to the Roe v. Wade 1971 Supreme Court ruling, the right to privacy is absolute. All moral theories will pose moral questions about sexual morality in the same way. A consequentialist approach to judging sexual morality will ask whether one is using anyone or whether the sexual relation is an open one.
Was Roe v. Wade 1973 based on judicial activism? ›
Some view the Court's decision in Roe v. Wade as "judicial activism," – meaning the judges based their decision on personal views rather than existing law. But, supporters of Roe say it is vital in preserving women's rights.
Which US Supreme Court decision allowed for a woman's right to make the decision to have an abortion quizlet? ›(Roe v. Wade (1973) extended the right of privacy to a woman's decision to have an abortion and ruled that states cannot regulate a woman's right to have an abortion during the first trimester of her pregnancy.)
What three arguments were used to support laws outlawing abortion quizlet? ›The Court reviewed the history of abortion laws, from ancient Greece to contemporary America, and therein found three justifications for banning abortions: "a Victorian social concern to discourage illicit sexual conduct"; protecting the health of women; and protecting prenatal life.
How does the 14th Amendment apply to a woman's right to privacy? ›Extending the Right to Privacy
sexual conduct." Relying upon the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of due process, the Court held: "The petitioners are entitled to respect for their private lives. The State cannot demean their existence or control their destiny by making their private sexual conduct a crime.
The Sixth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants nine different rights, including the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury consisting of jurors from the state and district in which the crime was alleged to have been committed.
What rights are not listed in the Constitution? ›The Supreme Court has found that unenumerated rights include such important rights as the right to travel, the right to vote, and the right to keep personal matters private.