Biological fathers of children born outside of marriage would be responsible for paying at least half of a mother’s pregnancy expenses. That's under legislation before a state House committee.
Courts ordering child support would also require a father to pay for half of a child’s health insurance premium until the child is no longer a dependent.
Republican state Representative Mark Tisdel says the package would lower the state’s Medicaid expenses by shifting responsibilities onto those dads.
“The father has a 50% obligation. He directly participated in this conception and eventual birth. I think equity simply states that the father has that obligation to the state if it’s paid for by Medicaid.”
That obligation would be to the mother if private insurance pays for care.
Critics have shared concerns about the impact the bills would have on poverty and fathers who are unable to pay.