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House Committee Takes Testimony On Abortion Bill

A Kansas House committee held hearings today on a bill that would put new restrictions on abortion in Kansas.

The bill would prevent the state from subsidizing abortions, even indirectly through tax credits and exemptions. The bill also states that life begins at conception. Michael Schuttloffel, with the Kansas Catholic Conference, applauded that part of the bill.

"“The life, health and well-being of unborn children should be protected," Schuttloffel said. "Codification of these principals is legally, scientifically and morally sound."

Elise Higgins, with the Kansas National Organization for Women, said that including the life-begins-at-conception statement could lay the groundwork for an outright ban on all abortions in Kansas if the Supreme Court overturns or reinterprets Roe v. Wade.

"All abortions in Kansas would immediately become illegal, no exceptions. And the provision essentially grants personhood to fertilized eggs, which would complicate contraception and in vitro fertilization," Higgins said.