Thread by @BenWinslow

Now the House is considering Rep. Brammer's bill to have biological fathers pay 50% of health care costs: le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/st…

@fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@VoteSuz says she has concerns.

"I'm worried some men may respond to this financial obligation in a way that benefits them financially," she says. "Specifically, pressuring a woman into an abortion... pressuring a woman to deliver at home." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@VoteSuz says she worries this bill will increase the number of abortions in Utah.

She says no other state has a law like this.

@writerathome says it's a "creative solution to a problem that has existed for eons." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@RepBrianKing asks if the goal is to get women help with medical costs? Yes, Rep. Brammer says.

Does it create financial incentives? Rep. Brammer says no woman has to inform the father of a pregnancy. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@RepBrianKing says there's better ways to help women than this bill.

@raywardutah asks how it would be enforced or carried out? Through child support and Office of Recovery Services, Rep. Brammer says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@KeraBirk says she supports the bill and when two consenting adults choose to create a baby, both are equally responsible.

Rep. Nelson says he also supports the bill, noting a woman can bring a paternity action but it's more specific. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Rep. Brammer sums by saying fathers do have a responsibility. He says other states do have similar laws (but nothing quite this specific).

"This bill is about helping, at least a little bit, defray some of the costs," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Rep. Brammer says both people have a responsibility.

HB113 PASSES the House 57-13. Off to the Senate. @fox13 #utpol #utleg