Amid the Republican Party’s long-standing push for pro-life policies, a new bill from a GOP lawmaker aims to expand the party’s focus beyond birth and into the financial realities of pregnancy.
Representative Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, has introduced the bill called ‘Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act’ that would ensure that pregnant mothers in the US receive financial support from the father even before their child is born, Fox News reported.
What does the bill state?
Hinson’s bill would require states to establish systems where the biological father of a child is required to cover at least 50% of the out-of-pocket costs for medical expenses associated with the pregnancy and delivery, including health insurance premiums, according to Fox News.
Certain limitation, however, would exist on costs incurred and costs for abortion will be excluded from the bill.
According to the bill, the expecting mother must also seek the payments before the father is legally obligated to make them.
Other bills introduced by Hinson for pregnant mothers
Hinson had previously introduced a bill that would mandate that pregnant women in higher education institutions know what rights and resources they have on campus, in an effort to give them more options aside from abortion.
‘I’m a mom on a mission’
Explaining her motivation behind introducing these bills, Hinson said she is a “mom on a mission”.
“[I want to] make life easier for my fellow moms and families. That’s why I’m working to expand access to maternal care, ensure women have resources throughout pregnancy and beyond, and improve child care options for growing families,” Hinson, who is running for Senate in Iowa, told Fox News.
“Strong families make a strong nation, and we should work together to support the parents and women who are building America’s future,” she said. “As a mom of two, I’m proud to be a leader in that fight for Iowa and for families nationwide,” she said.