Kansas all-in-one anti-abortion bill includes raised tax

As if the radical all-in-one anti-abortion bill making its way through the Kansas Legislature didn’t contain enough bullshit, it also includes a little provision that makes it beyond clear – just in case it weren’t already – that it really is all about punishing women who seek to have an abortion:

Buried in the 69-page bill being considered by the House Federal and State Affairs Committee are several provisions, in fact, that opponents say would increase taxes on those who seek abortions. The tax sections do not include any exemptions for women who want an abortion after a sexual assault, to end a dangerous ectopic pregnancy or to remove the remains of a fetus following a miscarriage -- the latter of which is defined as an abortion under Kansas law, according to Sarah Gillooly from Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.

The committee is likely to continue discussing the bill Thursday afternoon.

Under the proposal, women who end up receiving abortions would not be able to deduct the cost of the abortion as a health care expense if they had not purchased special abortion insurance, Gillooly said.

Brings a whole new meaning to the idea of making women pay for having an abortion, doesn’t it?

Hell of an International Women’s Day this is turning out to be.

(via @jennifurret)

Tags: Kansas • Kansas Legislature • Kansas House of Representatives • Sarah Gillooly • taxes