Legislators in Kansas have made it simpler for citizens to donate to state-affiliated healthcare organizations—but only if they support abortion rights.
Recently, the State of Kansas side of the Kansas City metro area has shown greater support for women making the decisions that are best for their reproductive health.
However, organizations that oppose abortion now have greater financial freedom to disseminate their views, which they believe offer better options for those who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant.
It wasn’t ideal timing for Autumn and Justin Washington to learn that Jovonni, their second child, was expecting.
When speaking about her husband’s professional situation, Autumn stated, “He has had trouble keeping jobs because of his disability. So, he had lost his job and at that time we lost our health insurance.”
“Me not being able to have a job as a disabled veteran, impacted our family to the point where we might have been homeless,” Justin continued.
However, all changed when they discovered the Advice and Aid Pregnancy Center in Overland Park after relocating to Kansas City.
“Once a month they give us diapers and wipes for both children,” Autumn stated. “They gave us a car seat and a highchair which we weren’t expecting.”
Families involved in Leaders with Advice and Aid’s two-year program are said to be eligible for free use of all of their services and baby supplies.
Meetings with nurses and social workers via the prenatal care center are part of it. Donations are the sole thing making this all possible.
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Executive Director Ruth Tisdale clarified, “We help with medical bills, rent, car payments, we help with emergency housing in some situations and childcare.”
Going forward, contributors to pregnancy centers such as Advice and Aid will receive an income tax credit under Kansas state law. Additionally, it exempts any purchases made by the non-profit from sales tax.
However, since Planned Parenthood offers abortion services, it is not eligible for the same state tax benefit. Advocates are concerned that Kansas politicians are using this as a financial strike against a woman’s freedom of choice.
“It’s important for women to be able to receive help, “Planned Parenthood Supporter Ruth stated. “What they do with their lives is none of my business.”
Governor Laura Kelly first vetoed this law.
“I do not believe it is appropriate to divert taxpayer dollars to largely unregulated crisis pregnancy centers. These entities are not medical centers and do not promote evidence based methods to prevent unplanned pregnancies.”
The state legislature, however, overrode it by a vote of 85 to 40.
