By Dave Andrusko
Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter
And Idaho makes three—Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter today signed his state’s Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, adding Idaho to Nebraska and Kansas as states that recognize they have a compelling interest in protecting the unborn child who is capable of feeling pain from abortion.
Before this legislative session is over further legislative action is expected on the model Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in Alabama, Minnesota and Oklahoma, among others.
We have full stories both on Idaho and on the movement on two fronts in Minnesota-prohibiting abortions of unborn babies who can feel pain and banning taxpayer funded abortions-so we’ll be very brief here.
In Oklahoma, good news on two fronts. The Abortion-Is-Not-Health-Care bill is on its way to Gov. Mary Fallin. Yesterday, on an 84-10 vote, the state House approved SB 547 which would prohibit coverage for elective abortions under health-insurance plans in Oklahoma, affirming the principle that abortion is not health care, and protecting the conscience rights of pro-life premium payers so they’re not complicit in the killing. The bill had already passed the state Senate, 36-10.
“Oklahomans who believe in the sanctity of life should not be forced to indirectly subsidize the abortion industry,” said State Representative Mike Ritze in debate on Wednesday.
And HB 1888-the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act-is also ready for Gov. Fallin’s signature. It, too, recognizes that the state has a compelling interest in protecting the pain-capable unborn child.
The vote in the House on Wednesday was 85-7. The Senate had previously voted in favor 38-8.
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