Republicans launch bill to force fathers to pay half of pregnancy expenses

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a house republican Trying to introduce a bill that would ensure fathers are contributing to the costs pregnancy,

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Iowa introduced a bill called the Healthy Pregnancy Support Act. According to Fox News, if the bill is passed, states would have to ensure that biological fathers pay at least 50 percent of out-of-pocket medical costs associated with pregnancy and delivery, including health insurance premiums.

The bill does not cover any costs related to abortion and has other specific limits on what fathers are expected to cover. Mothers must request contributions from fathers before the state can intervene and enforce payments.

Proposed legislation appears to be a move to connect with the GOP This is a pro-family messageRepublicans have been around for a long time criticized by democratsWho claim to be ostensibly pro-family and anti-abortion, while also denying it support moms With the financial burden of having a child.

Hinson has also introduced a bill that, if passed, would mandate that pregnant women attending college be informed of their rights and the resources available to them at their educational institutions. The lawmaker said the measure is aimed at ensuring that pregnant college students know they have options other than abortion.

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson's Healthy Pregnancy Support Act would require states to ensure that fathers pay at least 50 percent of the health care costs incurred by mothers during their pregnancies. — Congresswoman Ashley Hinson’s Healthy Pregnancy Support Act would require states to ensure that fathers pay at least 50 percent of the health care costs incurred by mothers during their pregnancies. ,Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.,

She has described herself to Fox News as a “mom on a mission” and said her goal with the bill is to help ease the burden on expectant mothers.

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,[I want to] Make life easier for my fellow moms and families. “That’s why I’m working to expand access to maternal care, ensure women have resources during pregnancy and beyond, and improve child care options for growing families,” she said.

Hinson is a mother of two and told the outlet that “strong families make a strong nation.”

A protester holds a placard in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on November 10, 2020, as the high court began arguments in the long-running case over the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. ,AFP via Getty Images,

While Hinson’s bill, if successful, could help pregnant women with the costs of their pregnancies, the GOP’s broader effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act — President Donald Trump insisted he would replace it with a better system, but failed to explain what that system might be — means many expectant moms will be stuck in high-deductible health plans.

According to a 2022 investigation by kff health newsApproximately 100 million people in the US have some type of debt related to their health care costs. Most of those individuals have insurance but are still forced to go into debt due to their high deductibles.

In November, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “the only health care I would support or approve of is sending money directly to people.”