The Legislature in Nebraska has approved a bill that allows undocumented pregnant women to access state-funded prenatal care, a move that was surprising on many levels. The Nebraska Right to Life, Nebraska Catholic Conference, Planned Parenthood, and Nebraska Appleseed organizations actually came together to support the bill, which the state governor had actually worked hard to kill. Even though Republican Governor Dave Heineman had described himself as one of the most pro-life governors in America, he is in total opposition of the bill. The New York Times believed that the reasons behind this was because he believes “government-financed health care for poor women is an acceptable thing, unless the women were in violation of immigration laws, in which case it was a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars.”

The Legislature in Nebraska has approved a bill that allows undocumented pregnant women to access state-funded prenatal care, a move that was surprising on many levels. The Nebraska Right to Life, Nebraska Catholic Conference, Planned Parenthood, and Nebraska Appleseed organizations actually came together to support the bill, which the state governor had actually worked hard to kill. Even though Republican Governor Dave Heineman had described himself as one of the most pro-life governors in America, he is in total opposition of the bill. The New York Times believed that the reasons behind this was because he believes “government-financed health care for poor women is an acceptable thing, unless the women were in violation of immigration laws, in which case it was a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars.”

The bill allows undocumented pregnant women to apply for and receive prenatal care through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which receives matching funds (up to 70%) from the federal government. Up until a few years ago, the state would provide prenatal care to low income women, including those who were undocumented, through Medicaid, but the federal government ended that policy in 2010. In spite of the fact that this new law will provide care for an estimated 1,100 children a year, Governor Heineman contends that Nebraskan taxpayers should not have to support the unborn children of undocumented immigrants. “This is an issue of fairness,” Gov. Heineman said, “Hard-working Nebraskans pay their taxes and obey the laws. Illegal aliens who don’t pay taxes and don’t obey the laws should not be received taxpayer-funded benefits.” Mike Flood, Republican speaker of the state’s Legislature, said that while addressing immigration is important, addressing the health concerns for unborn children who lack access to prenatal vitamins, ultrasounds, doctors and nurses is more important. The vast majority of conscientious Nebraskans along with religious leaders, pro-life groups and health care providers agree. Nebraska’s new bill stands to restore funding that will provide much needed care to women and their children, whom, should they be born on American soil, will be fully fledged U.S. citizens.