COLUMBIA -- On Thursday House Representatives voted to change the state insurance policy, to no longer pay for abortions. Right now the plan covers abortions for state workers in extreme situations including rape, incest or when a woman's life is in danger. The House vote now takes rape and incest off the table.
Johnny Gardner has been the longtime face of the pro-life movement in the Capital City. He considers what happened on the House floor Thursday morning a small victory. Lawmakers voted 67 to 46 to alter the state plan.
"I don't believe taxpayers should have to pay for abortions under any circumstances," said Gardner.
"You're going to have someone go somewhere unsafe to have the abortion because they can't afford it," said Midlands resident Robbie Diamond. "So there's a lot to consider there and the money definitely needs to be there."
Public opinion is split on the issue, leading to a debate nearly as heated as the one on the House floor. During a marathon 22-hour budget session, some House lawmakers pitted religion against an unplanned child having to pay the consequences for a crime.
"What would you do if it were your daughter or your child and they did not want that child by a person they've been raped by?" asked Diamond.
"I think if the woman can't pay for it, then the state should pay for it, if she gets raped," said Midlands resident Jessica Marohl.
"I long for the day when we will outlaw the practice of abortion in our state," said Gardner. "But I'm glad we do have this amendment."
The issue is far from final. The budget measure now goes to the Senate.
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