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The governor joined abortion advocacy groups in Chicago
Wednesday to announce a new fund connecting donor support with
organizations protecting and expanding reproductive health
access.
“We have witnessed an all-out assault on abortion and
gender-affirming care, led by the Trump administration and
carried out in too many states across the country,” Pritzker
said.
The governor announced the launch of the Prairie State Access
Fund, a new initiative of Michael Reese Health Trust to
strengthen reproductive and sexual health care access in
Illinois.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director
Lizzy Whitehorn spoke after Pritzker.
“Medicaid plays a critical role in supporting access to a wide
range of reproductive health services for Illinoisans. Medicaid
covers more than three million Illinois residents, which is
close to a quarter of our state’s population,” Whitehorn said.
Whitehorn said nearly a quarter of the almost 155,000 people who
left their home states for abortion services in 2024 came to
Illinois.
State Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Moline, said Illinois should not
use any Medicaid dollars to provide abortions.
“It’s another example where the governor has been using Medicaid
funds for illegals for their health care, including abortions,”
Hammond told The Center Square.
According to the Illinois Comptroller’s office, fiscal year 2025
spending on Medicaid expenses for state residents totaled $35.9
billion.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is the
primary administrator of the state’s Medicaid spending.
Hammond said she was not surprised by the governor’s move but
said Illinois already has lax abortion laws and accessibility at
every corner.
“Rather than provide relief in other areas, why are we putting
relief into this?” Hammond asked.
Hammond said it is unconscionable that Illinois continues to
“expand and expand and expand” on abortion.
Pritzker’s announcement came five days after Vice President J.D.
Vance spoke at the National March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Vance said life is a gift.
“We know babies are precious because we know them and we love
them and we see the way that they can transform our families,”
Vance said.
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