Just in the Associated Press today, Senator Dan Patrick (R-Houston) has proposed a bill that would provide women considering an abortion a monetary incentive ($500) to instead select an adoptive placement.

"We want that lady to have an incentive that makes her stop and think about having an abortion and that gives her a reason to put her baby up for adoption," Patrick said. "My goal is to save as many babies as we possibly can."

People from all avenues have expressed their cautions and criticism of this bill, which has apparently not yet been scheduled for a hearing before the senate health and human services committee. A local right to life group has expressed concerns that they need to make sure that this does not give the perception of baby buying. Others have expressed how this takes on a insulting feel with regards to everyone who actively works with birthmothers and adoptive parents.

I was glad to see that the article also does quote Adam Pertman of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute about women making informed decisions, always a voice of reason.

"You let women respectfully make the best decision they can at an excruciatingly difficult time. Introducing money into the mix can be coercive," Pertman said.

While personally I can’t fault Senator Patrick for where his heart might truly be (saving babies) I am not so sure that this type of “proposal” makes any sense. There are already so many factors involved with both the heated debates over abortion as well as the ethical process with adoption, I have no clue why anyone would think somehow combining the two under such a provision would be any solution. I wonder if it this is just the Senator’s frustration (the same that many of us must feel) over today’s culture and values that have so drastically changed concerning early human life. Even it this were the case, there must be better ways of helping women facing those decisions. How about funding for education, housing, parent training, and pregnancy prevention? In any account it will be interesting to see if this bill drops dead before it reaches the Senate steps. . . or not.