Oklahoma’s HB 1788 Sparks Debate Over Tax Breaks for Pregnancy Resource Centers Amid Concerns of Non-Healthcare Facilities
Fear Tax Breaks Could Benefit Non-Healthcare Facilities
According to the finance report FOX 25, in Oklahoma there’s a big argument over a new law called HB 1788. Some people really like it because they say it helps special places called pregnancy resource centers. These places help pregnant women and try to protect unborn babies. The law says the Department of Human Services will pick out these centers based on certain rules. But some Democrats in the House are worried. They think the law gives tax breaks to centers that pretend to be healthcare places but don’t really give medical help. They’re afraid that giving taxpayer money to private religious groups without much oversight could hurt women’s rights and make it harder for them to get healthcare.
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HB 1788’s Allocation Raises Concerns of Non-Healthcare Facilities Funding in Oklahoma
The law says that if you’re a taxpayer you can get up to $50,000 in tax breaks each year and the total amount of breaks given out can’t be more than five million dollars per year. Some people who support the law say it could help the state’s economy. But others, like the critics say it’s not right to use taxpayer money to support religious groups that aren’t closely watched when it comes to medical stuff.