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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