Budget slashing and pregnancy help

Yesterday the House Housing Policy and Finance and Public Health Finance Committee voted to cut $1.9 million from the Positive Alternatives Act. It was an effort to save money and balance the budget, but it also leaves a gaping hole in Minnesota's outreach to pregnant women.

The Positive Alternatives Acts helps fund services for pregnant women and their unborn babies including medical attention, nutritional support, housing assistance, adoption services, education and employment assistance, and parenting education and support.

It was initially funded at $2.4 million. The pro-life advocacy group Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life described the spending cut as a "gutting" — a word that sends shivers up my spine. When you gut something, you tear it apart and take out something vital, like the meat of a fish or deer.

But this is serious, and the legislature is voting to take something vital away from Minnesota women. MCCL is concerned that without this funding, organizations that aid women in difficult or unplanned pregnancies won't be able to offer enough outreach or necessary services. And without the support these organizations try to offer, women will turn instead to abortion.

This is most true for low-income women who can't afford medical care or may not have healthy support systems as they go through their pregnancies.

“Last evening’s action by pro-abortion representatives is purely political,” said MCCL Legislative Associate Andrea Rau in a press release. “The House must not attempt to balance the budget on the backs of women and children by plundering Positive Alternatives funds. The Minnesota House must restore the much-needed Positive Alternatives funds to make sure that pregnant women receive the support and services they need to choose life.”

MCCL also pointed out that the $1.9 million budget cut is one-fifth of one percent of the expected deficit.