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LINCOLN — Gov. Dave Heineman said Thursday that while he respects the views of the state's Catholic bishops, he won't be changing his opposition to providing government-paid prenatal care for illegal immigrants.
Heineman commented through a spokeswoman one day after the Catholic bishops, in a letter, urged the governor to reverse his stance.
The bishops stated that denying such coverage was a “terrible injustice” that might prompt some women to seek abortions and would deny medical care for unborn children who become U.S. citizens at birth.
Jen Rae Hein, Heineman's spokeswoman, said “the governor respects and understands their position, but his position remains the same.”
Heineman last week announced his opposition to a bill that would restore government-funded services to about 2,800 pregnant women a year.
He said that while “well-meaning people” can disagree, he is opposed to granting taxpayer-funded services to illegal immigrants.
Contact the writer:
402-473-9584, paul.hammel@owh.com
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