The Indiana House of Representatives has given final approval to a bill that would place further restrictions on women seeking an abortion and would cut taxpayer funding to Planned Parenthood.The measure cleared the Republican-led chamber by a vote of 66-32 and heads to Governor Mitch Daniels, who says he has not decided if he'll sign it into law.The measure also would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless the woman life or health is in danger. Current law sets the limit at 24 weeks.Bill supporters say it will give women more time to consider alternatives to abortion. Opponents say it will result in more children being sent to foster care and cause other problems, while defunding Planned Parenthood will deprive many women of non-abortion services such as cancer screenings.Planned Parenthood leaders are calling on Daniels to veto the measure and plan to challenge the law in court if he signs it.
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.
