U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) on Sept. 3 joined as an original cosponsor of a Republican bill that would facilitate support and services for women who find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy.
“No expecting mother should feel alone,” Rep. Kim said. “Unfortunately, many women are not aware of the local, state and federal resources available to them, especially during an unplanned pregnancy.”
Rep. Kim is one of nine cosponsors of the Care for Her Act, H.R. 5163, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) to meet the emotional, physical, social, financial, and other needs women encounter during pregnancy, childbirth and child-rearing, according to the text of the bill. U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Ann Wagner (R-MO) are also among the bill’s original cosponsors.
The goal of the bill is to establish “a community of care for the journey of life,” according to Rep. Fortenberry.
This would be accomplished via four provisions: A $3,600 tax credit for unborn children, which would apply retroactively after the child is born, in addition to the existing tax credit for children; federal grants to advance maternal housing, job training mentorships and other educational opportunities for expectant mothers; creating a federal-state Pregnancy Support Collaborative and Pregnant and Parenting Women’s Care Information Service, with a toll-free number and website for mothers to receive support; and financial incentives to communities that improve maternal and child health outcomes, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Kim’s office.
“As a mother of four, I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce the Care for Her Act to strengthen the outreach and effectiveness of programs for education, mentoring, housing and other support services for pregnant women and their children,” said Rep. Kim.