The Utah Legislature proposed an abortion-related bill last week that will reexamine and possibly amend Utah's abortion policy.

"As we near the Roe v. Wade 30-year mark, it is a good time to renew the debate against abortions that have been aloud to happen," said Rep. J. Morgan Philpot, R-Salt Lake County and sponsor of House Bill 123.

Philpot proposed a bill that would ban all state taxes going towards abortion, except in cases where the mother's life is threatened.

However, he said some amendments might still be made to the bill if it conflicts with federal Medicaid law.

Federal Medicaid, combined of state and federal funds, supports abortions for low-income mothers. The Medicaid policy requires states to provide funds for cases of life endangerment, rape and incest.

"The courts have held that as long as federal government is willing to commit its share, then the state has no other choice but to pay for the three circumstances," said Doug Springmeyer, assistant attorney general who represents the Health Department.

Philpot is challenging this by trying to stop the state funding for abortions, which nears a constitutional amendment made in Colorado.

In 1984, Colorado decided by citizen initiative that abortions can only be performed when the mother's life is threatened. The only challenge to the law was whether it must include rape and incest situations.

Philpot said he is still unsure whether the Colorado amendment was overturned for those cases, if so, the Utah bill may need to include rape and incest as well.

The bill, as it is now drafted, does not include those circumstances and concerns have been voiced to the sponsor for some changes, Springmeyer said.

"I believe the sponsor will be responsive to our suggestions," he said.

Gayle Ruzicka, president of Utah Eagle Forum, said in situations of rape and incest, people need to be sensitive, but any life that has potential to live should live.

"Their life is just as valuable as mine," she said. "A child should not be punished for a father's mistake."

Philpot said one of the reasons he sponsored the proposal was because he and his wife had their first child in November and he wants abortion to stop.

"Surprisingly, we have had very little negative response," Philpot said. "No radicalists have come out of the woodwork."

Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Feb 2003