Taxpayer-funded abortions increase by 1,758 percent in one year
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — Taxpayer-funded abortion numbers are on the rise in Illinois, according to data obtained from the state of Illinois.
The increase coincides with a 2018 law allowing insurance to cover elective abortions for people on Medicaid and the state employee health insurance plan.
NewsChannel 20 filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the state asking about the number of taxpayer-funded abortions carried out since the new law, House Bill 40, took effect.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services supplied us with data showing the state reimbursed providers for 1,561 abortions from January-June 2018.
From January-June 2017, a DHS spokesman said the state provided reimbursements for 84 procedures.
That’s an increase of 1,477 cases, or 1,758 percent.
Data from DHS showed the youngest patients receiving taxpayer-funded abortions were 12-years-old and the oldest were 45.
Many that opposed the new law believe taxpayers shouldn’t be funding these procedures.
"You have people like me who have to pay taxes and are morally opposed to taxpayer money going for something we're morally opposed,” Springfield Right to Life President Tim Moore said. “Frankly, it’s upsetting.”
Those in favor of the new law said everyone, regardless of their financial status or job, should have access to abortion services.
The figures above are related to abortion cases that the state reimbursed providers for, not the total number of abortions performed in the entire state.
