House Concurrent Resolution 152, honoring Pregnancy Help Centers for their life saving work, passed the 2018 General Assembly and was signed by Gov. Bevin on April 2. Over 50 Pregnancy Help Centers (PHCs) operate in Kentucky, 37 of which are Care Net affiliates. These 37, alone, provide well over one million dollars in services annually such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing, counseling and referrals, parenting classes and baby supplies. All services of Kentucky’s PHCs are provided free of charge.
Among those who testified for HCR 152 were sponsor Rep. Robert Benvenuti (RLexington), Sen. Max Wise (R-Campbellsville), Jor-El Godsey of Heartbeat International, Laura Dickinson, of Clarity (in Hardin County) and President, Kentucky Association of Pregnancy Care Agencies, and Monica Henderson, of Beside You for Life, (in Louisville).
The ACLU testified forcefully against the measure claiming PHCs shame women, yet the measure overwhelmingly passed both Chambers of the Assembly.
A rally honoring PHCs was held March 27. Speakers included Sen. Whitney Westerfield and Reps. Tim Moore, Addia Wuchner, Melinda Prunty, Russell Webber and Stan Lee, all active supporters of PHCs. Members of the Executive Branch also spoke, including Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton, Auditor Mike Harmon, and an aide to Treasurer Allison Ball. All praised PHCs, including Gov. Bevin via video message.
“PHCs are perfect examples of ‘philanthropic entrepreneurism.’” said Joyce Ostrander, rally coordinator, “Therefore it is fitting that Lt. Gov. Hampton is our keynote speaker today because she is both pro-life and focused upon entrepreneurism.”
