Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Republican from Iowa, has introduced a bill that would require states to make biological fathers responsible for at least half of the out-of-pocket medical costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth. The proposed legislation, titled the "Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act," aims to ease the financial burden on expectant mothers.
The bill dictates that the father's legal obligation to contribute the minimum of 50% only begins once the expectant mother formally requests payment. Crucially, the bill explicitly excludes any costs related to abortion.
In announcing the measure, Hinson, who is currently running for the U.S. Senate in Iowa, described her motivation: "I'm a mom on a mission to make life easier for my fellow moms and families." She emphasized that the goal is to "strengthen families" by providing tangible support for women who carry pregnancies to term.
The legislation comes amid an ongoing national debate over reproductive policy and parental responsibility.
- Supporters of the bill argue it is a significant step toward a pro-family agenda, shifting some prenatal and delivery costs directly to the expectant father instead of the government.
- Critics, however, have raised concerns about the difficulty of enforcing these new legal obligations on fathers.
The bill is one of several proposals aimed at improving maternal health, which include measures like expanding insurance coverage for childbirth and promoting coordinated care under Medicaid. The measure is currently under committee review in the House.