H.R. 605 would provide for programs that reduce the need for abortion, help women bear healthy children, and support new parents.
Detailed Summary
Pregnant Women Support Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to increase public awareness of resources available to pregnant women to carry their pregnancy to term and new parents.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary to make grants for the purchase of ultrasound equipment for examinations of pregnant women.
Prohibits a health insurance issuer offering individual coverage from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion or a waiting period or otherwise discriminating against a woman on the basis that she is pregnant.
Provides for continuation coverage for newborns.
Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act to allow states to extend health care coverage to an unborn child.
Requires health facilities that perform abortions to obtain informed consent from a pregnant woman seeking an abortion.
Provides for the collection and dissemination of information on Down syndrome and other prenatally diagnosed conditions.
Directs the Secretary to provide for: (1) higher education pregnant and parenting student services offices; and (2) programs to work with pregnant or parenting teens to complete high school.
Authorizes grants for services to pregnant women who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. Requires states to require a pregnancy determination for homicide victims.
Requires the Secretary to provide for comprehensive and supportive services for pregnant women, mothers, and children.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase and make refundable the tax credit for adoption expenses.
Authorizes appropriations to carry out the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC program).
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase the eligibility threshold for food stamps.
Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990.
Authorizes grants to provide to eligible mothers education on the health needs of their infants through visits to their homes by registered nurses.
Authorizes grants for collecting and reporting abortion surveillance data.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
Points in Favor
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)
Points Against
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)
Visitor Comments
DF
February 9, 2009, 9:38pm (report abuse)These people can't afford kids and shouldn't have them. Why should they have kids so we can pay them and take care of them?
Douglas
February 19, 2009, 12:08am (report abuse)If someone is unable to provide for a child why would they be pregnant?
Annie
April 9, 2009, 5:07pm (report abuse)Why do we have child protective services or the foster care system? We pay to take care of those kids.
These children aren't coming, and the parents aren't deciding whether to have a child. These children are already here and the women are already pregnant. They're already providing for their children within. Shouldn't we help them if they need it? Shouldn't the state have an interest in preserving the life of this new child?
Amanda
April 19, 2009, 7:03pm (report abuse)We give away unwanted kittens but we kill off unwanted babies. I see a BIG problem in that. This bill will help those women that seek abortions because they cannot afford to be pregnant which plays a part in 68% of abortions and that data was when the economy was decent. You would help a kitten so why not help a baby?
Miranda
July 31, 2009, 2:21pm (report abuse)We have a responsibility to help these mothers and their children. Pregnancy isn't always planned, but every human life has value and should be protected.
Reverend Josh Taylor
October 25, 2009, 5:47pm (report abuse)Giving away or killing unwanted newborns is bad and sinful to God's eyes. Pregnant women need to support themselves and not letting the Gov't to decide what best for them.