Macon Reporter

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) highlighted a bill that passed the House that allows other medical providers other than doctors to perform abortions and provides for children to receive gender-affirming care and abortions without parental consent. 

Caulkins billed Illinois as the state with the most permissive abortion rights law in the nation and announced on Facebook that "the abortion bill passed in the House, SB 1534 HFA 4.” He further said that "There is no law progressive enough to satisfy the most radical elements of the Democrat party when it comes to abortion expansion.”

“This bill allows non-medical doctors (physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives) to perform surgical abortions,” Caulkins said. “This allows anyone to receive over-the-counter birth control without a doctor's or pharmacist’s prescription.” 

Caulkins, also a member of the Illinois Freedom Caucus, reminded the Illinoisan that a year ago, "Illinois Democrats stripped away the right of parents to know that their minor child is having an abortion by ending parental notification.” 

“Under this bill, minors could receive a surgical abortion from a non-doctor, paid for by the taxpayer, in a clinic that is not held to the same standards as other medical facilities, and their parents never have to know,” he said. “Under this bill, if a doctor loses their license for illegally performing an abortion in another state, they can come to Illinois and get a medical license anyway.” 

The bill, as Caulkins explained, would d require "community colleges and universities to make emergency contraception accessible for purchase in at least one vending machine on each campus at a cost no greater than $40.” He has also highlighted its 'gender-affirming care top lines.' 

“The bill sets standards for gender-affirming care that will mean doctors can provide hormonal therapy or surgical gender reassignment surgery without requiring parental involvement and with no age limit,” Caulkins added. “This bill will require Illinois insurance plans to cover gender-affirming medication to be covered without copay or deductible to any person without age restrictions and no requirement for parental notification.”

The bill came out of the Dobbs Decision Working Group made up of Illinois lawmakers has passed the Illinois House and awaits action in the Senate. 

“The Illinois House Reproductive Health and the Dobbs Decision Working Group is highlighting its plan to protect abortion and gender-affirming health care. This plan heads to the House floor tonight. @RepKellyCassidy @PPIAction @EqualityILL #twill," Mike Miletich, capital bureau chief for WEEK-TV, said on Twitter.

Illinois lawmakers filed an amendment to a bill that would allow for temporary licenses for out-of-state abortion providers, Crain's Chicago Business reported.

State Rep. Kelly Cassidy (R-Chicago) said the bill will provide access to reproductive health in the state and to provide access to “gender-affirming care.” The bill awaits debate and a vote in the State Senate, according to Fox2Now.

GOP State Reps. Chris Miller, Brad Halbrook, Adam Niemerg, and Blaine Wilhour are also members of the Illinois Freedom Caucus. It is part of the broader State Freedom Caucus Network. “We need patriots who will serve in our state capitals to fight federal overreach and stand firm against those — in both parties — who prioritize seizing political power over representing constituents,” the group’s website reads.