TULSA, Okla. — A new executive order from Governor Kevin Stitt aims to support women with unplanned pregnancies. The order comes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
When that decision came down, Oklahoma instituted one of the strictest bans on abortion in the nation due to a previously signed 'trigger' law.
Oklahoma women without the option of abortion or the means to travel to states where it is legal are now be faced with a pregnancy they're unprepared for. Some pregnancy advocates tell 2 News they are anticipating an influx of women. They also say this is their time to shine. But, that is only if they get the support they need to help more women.
According to the governor’s executive order, this new “HELP” task force aims to do just that.
“There’s going to be a lot of pregnant women that need help,” chief executive officer for GoLife, David Lewis said.
Lewis and his wife, Julie, are among the leaders within the non-profit organization. The organization encourages women to complete unplanned pregnancies. GoLife offers free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, and resources to women with planned or unplanned pregnancies.
“It’s exciting to see that he’s making that next step,” Julie Lewis said.
The “Helping Every Life and Parent” (HELP) Task Force will comprise 11 people selected by the governor. Six of them are state leaders, one licensed OBGYN, and up to four faith leaders, including three people who head non-profits or faith organizations and one person who specifically runs a faith-based "Crisis Pregnancy Center."
The order says they will help eliminate barriers to adoption, educate Oklahomans about "the realities of life in the womb" and support faith-based and non-profit organizations who work with women in these crisis pregnancies. The task force has to submit a comprehensive report and recommendations for how to support women on a large scale. The findings are due to the governor by October 28.
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