Bill halts taxpayer funding for abortions

Missouri taxpayers have been indirectly subsidizing abortions for years, despite the state's long-standing prohibition on using public money for ending the life of unborn children.

It has happened in several ways, all of which circumvented the intent of the law.

In one scenario, two agencies share a telephone or other utility, and one of the agencies provides abortions. State funding that goes to the other agency helps pay those telephone bills, which frees up other funds to pay for abortions.

In a more clear case, a group that directly performs abortions may get money to help pay its rent or keep its lights on because it also provides services not related to abortion. That also helps the group stay open, where it is free to perform abortions.

There's hardly anything indirect about that.

That tax dollars have been utilized for this purpose probably upsets many Southeast Missourians who are against abortions.

State Rep. Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau has proposed legislation that would bar organizations that provide abortions from receiving state funds for unrelated family planning services.

Under the proposal, in order for a group to be eligible for state funding, it wouldn't be allowed to affiliate with an abortion provider in any way, including sharing office space, personnel or even the same name.

It would also forbid state-subsidized agencies from referring women to abortion clinics. Agency workers could tell women that abortions or legal, but would not be able to refer them to an abortion clinic.

Most representatives in the House of Representatives agreed with Crowell, sending the bill on to the Senate on a 106-34 vote. The Senate is expected to give the bill favorable consideration.

There is a sticking point, however. Gov. Bob Holden has vowed to veto any legislation that would reduce women's access to abortion services. But this doesn't do that. Abortion clinics have shown they can always find ways to keep their doors open. They'll just have to do it without help from taxpayers who don't want to help pay for abortions.

Abortions are legal and will probably stay that way for some time. With this proposed legislation, those who want them and those who provide them would have to pay for them themselves.

If, along the way, the bill reduces the number of abortions performed in Missouri, so much the better. As Crowell put it, "If you're pro-choice, you're not going to like this bill."