HOUSE BILL ENCOURAGES ADOPTION, CARRYING CHILD TO TERM

A group of DFL lawmakers unveiled a package of bills yesterday they say would take some of the economic pain out of unplanned pregnancy. Long Prairie lawmaker Mary Ellen Otremba said the Pregnant Women and Parent Support Act will encourage more women to choose life for their unborn child. Royalton Representative Al Doty said the bill should help a woman facing an unexpected pregnancy. The bill would outlaw health insurance waiting periods for maternity benefits and require insurance companies to offer coverage to already pregnant women. Insurance companies now consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition. Another bill in the package would set up day-care centers in Minnesota colleges. Another would offer pregnant women a $1,000 tax credit for adoption-related expenses and spend state tax money on the federal Women and Infant Children food and health care program.