The following news release was issued today, April 4.
ST. PAUL — Its aggressive promotion of taxpayer-funded abortions is enriching the abortion industry with increased numbers and revenue, according to a just-released report from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Nearly 32 percent (3,933) of all abortions performed in Minnesota in 2009 were paid for by taxpayers, at a cost of $1.58 million.
"There appears to be no limit to the abortion industry's marketing of abortion to poor women," said Scott Fischbach, Executive Director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL). "It is time to end abortionists' money grab at the expense of vulnerable women and their unborn children."
Nearly all of the numbers are up for taxpayer-funded abortions: Claims increased 4.8 percent over the previous year, total payments rose 5.4 percent, and the average cost per abortion rose to $403. In addition, the state paid more than ever for the cost of "treatment of incomplete induced abortions" — a total of $13,791. This amount is expected to continue to increase, according to DHS.
Planned Parenthood posted big gains once again. Its abortion center in the Highland neighborhood of St. Paul increased its taxpayer funded abortions by 7 percent in 2009. Planned Parenthood's abortion marketing efforts to low-income and minority women have yielded a staggering 153 percent increase in its publicly funded abortions since 2000.
Minnesota taxpayers have been required to fund elective abortions since the Minnesota Supreme Court's 1995 Doe v. Gomez ruling. In that decision, the Court created a state "right" to abortion on demand and obligated all taxpayers to fund abortions.
"Polls continue to show that most Minnesotans and most Americans are opposed to taxpayer funded abortions, yet they continue to be forced to pay for them," Fischbach said.
MCCL is working to pass a ban on taxpayer funded abortion. H.F. 201 / S.F. 103, authored by Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, and Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, would end this mistreatment of poor women, the killing of unborn children, and forcing taxpayers to fund it.
MCCL is Minnesota's oldest and largest pro-life organization with more than 70,000 member families and 240 chapters across the state. For more information about MCCL, visit www.mccl.org.
