Campus reacts to state bill f's retirement
Legislation could prohibit state-funded abortions for poor

by James S. Valles
Daily Illini reporter

Gov. George Ryan is facing a decision on whether to veto or pass new legislation that prohibits state funding for poor women whose pregnancies endanger their health.

The pressure intensified for Ryan after a 33-23 vote on April 7 by the Illinois Senate on the legislation, which allows funding to perform abortions on pregnancies that are life-threatening or result from an act of criminal or aggravated sexual assault.

According to the Associated Press, he has said little over the issue, but states that he remains pro-life and will investigate the bill further before making a final decision.

Some political organizations and students at the University reacted to the bill.

"Democrats are generally for publicly funded abortions," said Kate Harshman, legislative director of College Democrats.

Susan Kang, a student campaign chair of the College Democrats, emphasized that the bill considers life-threatening circumstances and does not allow for health-threatening

situations.

"If a woman's health is endangered for any reason, then there should be no question of whether or not Medicaid should cover the treatment," Kang said.

Anthony Enright, secretary of College Republicans, said that although Republicans do not take a position on abortion, they generally support the bill.

"We do not believe that tax payers should have to pay for elective procedures," Enright said.

Enright said Republicans believe that abortion is an elective procedure except in cases where it is necessary for preserving a woman's life or is used to terminate a pregnancy resulting from an act of criminal sexual assault.

"Where do you draw the line? Life-threatening situations are easily identifiable, otherwise it would be easy to generalize circumstances for almost any case," said Tom Berfield, president of College Republicans.

Emily Czysz, sophomore in LAS, agrees.

"I support the bill and hope that the governor passes it," Czysz said.

Some students, however, supported the use of tax money for all abortions.

"I agree with any program to increase the accessibility of choice to have an abortion," said Zach Miller, senior in LAS.

In 1998, 22 abortions were performed for health reasons.