[ChristopherHall]

Originally Posted by Ferd

Chris keeps saying it. I still dont see it.

A democrat that opposes abortion is about as useful as a football bat.

02/10/2008 Pro-Life Democrats Praised in Tennessee
http://www.lifenews.com/state2847.html

1/22/2008 - Pro-Life MN House Members Intdroduce Pregnant Women and Parent Support Act
http://www.democratsforlife.org/inde...d=319&Itemid=2

State Representative Mary Ellen Otremba
State Representative Patti FritzState Representative Al DotyNews Release Contact: Charlene BrinerMinnesota House of Representatives (651) 296-5809District 11B (651) 296-3201 charlene.briner@house.mn 445 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 January 22, 2008 PRO-LIFE DFL HOUSE MEMBERS INTRODUCE PREGNANT WOMENT AND PARENT SUPPORT ACT A group of pro-life DFL House members unveiled a package of legislative proposals today that offers a concrete set of practical solutions to the challenges Minnesota women experience when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.Called the "Pregnant Women and Parent Support Act," the legislation encourages and supports a woman’s decision to have a child by removing some of the economic hardships faced by new parents."So often today, women are forced to make an agonizing choice between moral suffering and economic hardship," said Representative Mary Ellen Otremba (DFL-Long Prairie). "These proposals offer common ground to legislators and Minnesotans from all points of view that will result in more women choosing life for their unborn child."Among the proposals are several provisions that offer assistance with economic hardships imposed by restrictive health insurance policies, including:

* Eliminating health insurance waiting periods for maternity benefits, children's health supervision, and prenatal care services;
* Stopping pre-existing condition discrimination on the basis of pregnancy;
* Preventing insurance companies from penalizing pregnant women to ensure a woman feels able and free to choose life.

A grant program for parenting supports to assist college students in creating healthy and strong families is also included. "College students who find themselves facing an unplanned pregnancy shouldn't have to decide between having a child or completing their education," said Representative Pattie Fritz, (DFL-Faribault). "This legislation offers students a way to do both, through practical support on parenting, encouragement, and most importantly, on-campus childcare services."The bill also supports and encourages adoption through a $1,000 tax credit for adoption-related expenses and requires improved adoption referral information. Other provisions include:

* Provisions for clear and unbiased information concerning alpha-fetoprotein tests (used primarily to determine the presence/severity of birth defects)
* Provisions for clear and unbiased information regarding adoption options
* Creates a new toll-free support number to ensure there is a list of support resources available for first-time parents who choose to carry their child to term – including those new parents lacking access to the Internet.
* State matching funds for the Women Infant Children (WIC) program, which offers nutritious foods, nutrition education and access to health care for low-income pregnant women.

"There are many great parts in this bill that could stand on their own, " said Representative Al Doty (DFL-Royalton). "Taken together, they should go a long way in easing many of the problems a woman currently faces when she is choosing life after an unplanned pregnancy.”-30-
Last Updated ( Jan 31, 2008 at 01:54 PM )

Only a Republican would play partisan politics with the lives of the unborn and disregard Democratic measures that are on the side of life.