Gov. Bruce Rauner will be taking a closer look at a bill that would allow Medicaid to cover abortions in Illinois and talking to advocates on both sides.
The bill was passed by Illinois Democrats in May, but legislators held off on sending it to Rauner after he said he would veto it. Now, Rauner has said that while he is personally “pro-choice,” he is seeking input from both sides of the debate before coming to a decision.
“There are passionate believers on both sides of the issue,” Rauner said. “I have been meeting with legislators–in fact, I am meeting with some more today and tomorrow–on both sides, and I am meeting with advocates on both sides. Then we will be dealing with it in the coming days.”
State Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said legislators are passing the bill on to Rauner now that he has opened the matter up for discussion and may be more willing to sign the measure.
“I think the work of the advocates over the last several months has had an effect on the governor,” Harmon said. “He has moved from being in favor of the bill to threatening to veto the bill, and now he’s back to an undecided position. I think that means the work is working.”
Advocates for the measure say it is unfair to deny abortion coverage to poor women who rely on Medicaid for access to medical procedures.
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