May 19, 2021
While Maine is attempting to pass two bills that will end taxpayer funding for abortions, Rhode Island is doing the opposite. They are currently attempting to pass the Equality Abortion Coverage Act (H 5787), which will force their taxpayers to fund abortions in the state. SFLA’s New England Regional Coordinator, Kate Maloney, testified via phone to the Rhode Island House Finance Committee yesterday against the bill and passionately advocated for innocent children and pro–life taxpayers.
Forcing Americans to pay for abortions and fund abortion facilities is an injustice against innocent preborn human beings and directly violates the rights of pro–life Americans. Kate pointed out that Rhode Island’s life–affirming pregnancy resources far outnumber the abortion facilities in the state, stating, “Rhode Island has numerous options for women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. There are Federally Qualified Health Care Centers which outnumber Planned Parenthoods [nationwide] 16 to 1 and outnumber Planned Parenthood’s services. Pregnancy help centers, which offer free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, and material assistance, and maternity homes are there to support and enrich the individual, not profit from them.”
Kate testified that abortion should not be covered as healthcare in the state because authentic health procedures do not intentionally result in the death of a human being. Healthcare funding should be allocated to healthcare, not intentionally ending innocent human life. Kate reminded the committee that Rhode Island has always funded authentic healthcare and that passing this law would contradict that legacy. “Rhode Island has consistently withheld public funds for abortion and should continue to do so because pregnancy is not a disease cured by abortion. Let’s be clear – if your healthcare kills people on purpose, you’re doing it wrong.”
The Rhode Island legislature should do the right thing and uphold their standard of funding healthcare and authentic life–affirming resources for women. Kate reminded the committee of some of the amazing and free resources available to women. Funding those authentic non-violent healthcare options will continue to promote the dignity of the human person and help families in Rhode Island flourish.
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