News

WASHINGTON, September 30, 2002 (LSN.ca) – The Bush administration said yesterday it would classify foetuses as unborn children as a way of providing more low-income women with prenatal care. A new regulation will allow states to provide health care coverage to unborn children – and thus to pregnant women – under the state Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).  This would be achieved by changing the program’s definition of “child.” Currently SCHIP allows states to provide medical assistance for low-income children younger than 19. The regulation would allow states to extend program coverage to low-income children from conception to age 19, which would open it up to pregnant women.  Pro-lifers welcomed the change as a “major victory.” But Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, fears it may be stymied at the state level: “The next question is, will pro-abortion politicians in some states cave in to pressure from pro-abortion groups who insist there is no such thing as an unborn child, and so deny this aid to mothers and their babies?”  For Washington Times coverage of the immigration aspects see:  https://www.washtimes.com/national/20020928-71647448.htm