House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2429 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Establishing the alternatives to abortion program to provide resources and promote childbirth to women facing unplanned pregnancies.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 7, 2023
Jeanne Gawdun, Director of Government Relations, Kansans for Life, provided testimony in support of HB2429 (Attachment 2). The bill establishes an alternative to abortion programs by providing services through Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRC), maternity homes and adoption agency to women facing unplanned pregnancies. There are over 50 facilities in Kansas offering a variety of social services to women in need. Medical services offered by PRCs are preformed by licensed medical professionals.
Ms. Gawdun responded to questions from the committee.
Lucretia Nold, Policy Specialist, Kansas Catholic Conference, provided testimony in support of HB2429 (Attachment 3). The Conference represents the Catholic Bishops of Kansas. PRCs provide services that may include ultrasounds, OB/GYN referrals, parenting classes, job training, housing assistance, diapers, formula and more. The services are provided at no expense to the expecting or new mother. Ms. Nold provided her personal experiences with PRCs. Women who have found themselves in a moment of vulnerability, fear, and uncertainty deserve our support and respect.
Ms. Nold responded to questions from the committee.
Kelly Werkowitch, Executive Director, Nativity House KC, Inc. provided testimony in support of HB2429 (Attachment 4). Nativity House is a Non-Profit 501 (C) maternity home providing no cost housing, services and programs for homeless pregnant women 21 years of age and older and their children. The facility operates as a residential maternity shelters as an alternative to abortion that changes one life while saving another. Its mission is to provide help, hope, healing, shelter and services for homeless pregnant mothers and their children in a home-like environment. A list of the services provided was given. Care and support continues through pregnancy and for the first year of the child's life to prepare both the mother and child for a brighter future. The goal is to give every mother and child the opportunity to heal, grow and succeed. Personal stories were provided. HB2429 would provide essential funding to continue the mission and grow the organization to serve more women and families.
Heather Roberts, Manager of the Adoption and Pregnancy Counseling Program, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, provided testimony is support of HB2429 (Attachment 5). Ms. Roberts presented a list of services her program provides. An example of how the program assists participants of the program was provided. At issue is medical costs for pregnant teens may not covered by the program because the parent's insurance does not cover the child's pregnancy. Ms. Roberts stated that the additional funding would allow the organization to hire full time bilingual staff.
Ms. Roberts responded to questions from the committee.
Tom Quiggle, Executive Director, Embrace of Wichita, Inc., provided testimony in support of HB2429 (Attachment 6). The facility serves those facing pregnancy decisions and/or potential STDs in the Wichita and south central Kansas area for 38 years. All services are provided at no cost with the exception of on-going counseling with a licensed Marriage and Family therapist which is at a low cost. Over the last five years, Embrace has provided 20,069 office visits to 8,752 unique individuals. Less than 20% of all clients report a family income greater than $30,000. Every pregnancy test and sonogram provided is free to all clients, as is every test or treatment for STD services. Case managements and referrals are also free. Parenting classes are provided free of charge. All of the services are provided by licensed individuals. A breakdown of the funding sources was provided to the committee.
Mr. Quiggle responded to questions from the committee.
The following provided written only testimony:
Samuel Lee, Director, Campaign Life Missouri (Attachment 7)
Oksana, Private Citizen (Attachment 8)
