HISTORIC WIN FOR MATERNAL HEALTH: HB 90 PASSES KENTUCKY LEGISLATURE!

Frankfort, KY – Wow, it is done! Well, except for the Governor’s signature…

With significant effort and skill, Kentucky lawmakers successfully passed House Bill 90 (HB 90)—a comprehensive maternal health bill designed to clarify the state’s abortion laws and enhance perinatal care services.

This legislative achievement aims to dispel misinformation that has caused unnecessary fears, promoting the false narrative that women won’t receive appropriate medical care for miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy complications due to Kentucky’s laws protecting the unborn. We all knew that wasn’t true, but this bill clarifies and ensures that Kentucky women receive necessary medical care without hesitation.

A Collaborative Effort

HB 90 advanced in a 74-17 House vote, and the Senate voted 29-0 to approve the measure.

The success of HB 90 is a testament to the collaborative efforts of your prayers, phone calls, and emails!

I was honored to work alongside Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of the Kentucky Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Representative Jason Nemes, Representative Nancy Tate, Representative Kim Moser, and Senator Julie Raque Adams—each of whom played an instrumental role in advancing the bill. Healthcare professionals like Dr. Goldberg provided valuable insights to address misconceptions and fears surrounding abortion laws.

As the Executive Director of Kentucky Right to Life, I was proud to contribute to the drafting and advocacy of this legislation. I was also blessed to be joined by my former House of Representatives colleague and ProLife warrior, Melinda Prunty, who worked with our KY RTL team this Session. Our collective efforts ensured that the bill addressed the concerns of both healthcare providers and patients, promoting clarity and trust in medical care.

Key Provisions of HB 90

✅ Clarifying Medical Exceptions

One of the pivotal aspects of HB 90 is the explicit clarification of medical exceptions within Kentucky’s abortion laws. The bill specifies that treatments for conditions such as miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, molar pregnancies, and other life-threatening complications are not considered abortions. This distinction ensures that healthcare providers can offer timely and appropriate care without legal concerns.

As reported by the Associated Press, these exceptions cover cases such as:

Life-threatening miscarriage management
Emergencies due to sepsis and hemorrhaging
Procedures necessary to prevent the death or substantial risk to the pregnant woman

✅ Expanding Perinatal Palliative Care

Beyond clarifying medical exceptions, HB 90 mandates the expansion of perinatal palliative care services across the Commonwealth. This provision requires hospitals and birthing centers to offer or refer families facing life-limiting diagnoses for their unborn children to appropriate services. This ensures families receive compassionate care and guidance during challenging times.

✅ Establishing Freestanding Birthing Centers

Another significant component of HB 90 is the establishment of freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky. By removing barriers to these centers, the bill offers pregnant and birthing women additional choices for their prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care. This move aligns Kentucky with 40 other states that have embraced such centers, providing safe perinatal care in a homelike environment for low-risk pregnancies.

HB 90 is Now Awaiting the Governor’s Signature

Having passed both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly, HB 90 now awaits the signature of Governor Andy Beshear. Will he sign it into law? Once signed, these provisions will take effect immediately, marking a significant advancement in maternal healthcare for Kentucky women.

Call to Action: Urge Governor Beshear to Sign HB 90!

📞 Call (502) 564-2611 and respectfully urge Governor Andy Beshear to sign HB 90 into law to protect and ensure maternal healthcare for Kentucky women.

📩 Click here to contact the Governor’s office: https://governor.ky.gov/contact/contact-us

In conclusion, HB 90 represents a monumental step forward in safeguarding women’s health in Kentucky. By clarifying medical exceptions, expanding perinatal palliative care, and establishing freestanding birthing centers, the bill ensures that women receive the care they need without unnecessary delays or fears. This achievement underscores the power of collaboration and the unwavering commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for all Kentuckians.

Thank you for your continued support in changing hearts and saving lives. Together, we are making a difference!

Changing Hearts, Saving Lives –

“Support Her, Love Both”