Carbondale Reporter

The Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit is pushing back against legislation that would open up abortion access by allowing unlicensed out-of-state doctors and other medical professionals to provide abortions. 

The church, located in Carterville, has noted that HB 4664 will allow "Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants to perform surgical abortions.” It is advocating that people should call legislators to thumbs down the bill.  

“Please call your State Senator immediately to urge them to vote NO on HB 4664,” the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit said on Facebook. “HB 4664 Senate Amendment #1 introduced late January 4th, may be heard in the Senate, January 5th. The 241-page bill makes numerous changes to abortion law including: Allows the Attorney General to investigate and request the court to impose fines to sidewalk counselors; Allows the Attorney General to request the court to impose fines to an unlicensed crisis pregnancy center for providing pregnancy-related services; Mandates a two-hour continuing education course about abortion for all health care workers involved in maternity care and other 'reproductive health care.'"

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) is among the many speaking out against the bill. “Under this bill, minors could receive a surgical abortion from a non-doctor, paid for by the taxpayer, in a clinic that is not held to the same standards as other medical facilities, and their parents never have to know,” Caulkins said on Facebook. He added the bill strips parents of their right to lead their children’s healthcare decisions. “The bill sets standards for gender-affirming care that will mean doctors can provide hormonal therapy or surgical gender reassignment surgery without requiring parental involvement and with no age limit,” Caulkins said. “This bill will require Illinois insurance plans to cover gender-affirming medication to be covered without copay or deductible to any person without age restrictions and no requirement for parental notification.”

The bill came out of the Dobbs Decision Working Group made up of Illinois lawmakers has passed the Illinois House and awaits action in the Senate. “The Illinois House Reproductive Health and the Dobbs Decision Working Group is highlighting their plan to protect abortion and gender-affirming health care. This plan heads to the House floor tonight. @RepKellyCassidy @PPIAction @EqualityILL #twill," Mike Miletich, capital bureau chief for WEEK-TV, said on Twitter.

Abortion clinics in Illinois have expanded their capacity in preparation for an increase in demand for abortions. Along the state's border with states controlled by Republicans, Planned Parenthood has opened a number of additional abortion clinics. Abortion advocates anticipate a five-fold increase in the number of abortions, Prairie State Wire reported.