It's a hot button issue -- abortion. Thursday, The Travis County Healthcare District will decide whether to continue to spend taxpayer money to fund abortions for women who can't pay for them.
The board has set aside money that comes from property taxes in its budget for contracts with three agencies that would then provide abortions. It's something anti-abortion groups are strongly against.
“These abortions are done on healthy women with healthy babies,” said Joe Pojman, Ph.D., Executive Director of Texas Alliance for Life. “That's not something our tax dollars should be used for.”
Thursday, The Travis County Healthcare District Board, will vote on whether to continue to pay for abortions. If approved, county taxpayers would continue to spend $450,000 a year, paying for abortions for low income women.
Emotions are expected to run high during Thursday's meeting at commissioners court. Opponents argue property taxes should not be used to fund abortions for low income women, while supporters say if the programs are taken away about 1 percent of the most vulnerable will have nowhere else to turn.
“Without medical assistance and program funding, these women would resort very possibly to back alley and to unsafe places to terminate pregnancies that are unwanted,” said Ken Lambrecht, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region.
It's an issue, many people feel passionate about.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Bill Day. “In the long run, If we don’t do something, it's going to cost the public more money and be more expensive.”
Another resident told KVUE, “I don't believe that my hard earned tax money should be paying for decisions that others have made.”
If approved, The Healthcare District Board would contract with three agencies which would then provide the abortions.
The public hearing will be held Thursday, December 10, in the Travis County Commissioners Courtroom located on the first floor of the Granger Building at 314 W. 11th St. in Austin at 5:30 p.m.
