MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Now that Mid-South states are moving quickly to ban practically all abortions within their jurisdictions, the focus is shifting to pre- and post-natal healthcare. Specifically, are Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas prepared financially for a dramatic increase in births?
I believe the answer is clearly no. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson admitted as much shortly after the Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe vs. Wade. Hutchinson said in a TV interview that his state does not have the necessary resources to deal with additional expected births, saying only that Arkansas will adapt to those needs in the months and years ahead. Sorry, Governor. That’s not much of a plan.
Tennessee and Mississippi are no better. Their respective governors Bill Lee and Tate Reaves have basically given lip service to additional healthcare needs for infants and toddlers.
All three states rank at or near the bottom on almost every credible list for access to healthcare for children. One ranking had Mississippi, 42nd, Arkansas, 47th and Tennessee 48th for access. Another list put Mississippi dead last.
These are issues state leaders must now address. It’s certainly an issue that Governor Lee should be required to address as he runs for reelection this year.
Banning almost all abortions was the easy part. Now, what are these states going to do to ensure that children and their parents are cared for properly? The answer cannot be, we’ll wait and see.