Rep. Jimmy Matlock discusses abortion bill
A bill that strips state taxpayer funding from abortion clinics passed the Tennessee House of Representatives on Monday evening.
House Bill 2251 requires TennCare to seek a Medicaid waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to exclude providers who perform elective abortions. The legislation exempts medically necessary abortions performed in hospitals, such as in situations when the life of the mother is at risk.
Rep. Jimmy Matlock (R-Lenoir City) said, “It is beyond time for Tennessee taxpayers to be off the hook for TennCare reimbursements to abortion providers. These tax dollars have been directly supporting abortion facilities, and that is unacceptable.
“My wife and I have devoted an entire lifetime to the protection of unborn children. This legislation tonight puts our state in a position that no state dollars will go to an organization in our state that performs abortions.”
The companion Senate bill is being carried by Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville), and will be heard in the Senate Health & Welfare Committee this week.