Expecting mothers and fathers work hard to ensure that their child is healthy, loved and well cared for before he is even born. A mom might watch her diet, start exercising, take prenatal vitamins, or learn relaxation techniques because she’s told all of this is good for the baby. Dad might take on more household responsibilities or work responsibilities to make sure mom is relaxed and healthy. Expecting parents will often read to the baby, play him music, and tell him how happy they are he is coming. While friends and family might certainly share in the joy of the parents, there’s not much they or even the state can do directly for the baby until after he’s born.

While over the past few decades states have made great strides in protecting the rights of preborn babies – including medical protections particularly in the later stages of pregnancy and criminal penalties for causing the death of an unborn baby – states have a long way to go in encouraging ways to attach benefits to those rights.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our state laws allowed parents even more ways to recognize the lives of their children—before they are even born?

We shouldn’t have to wait until we hold our children in our arms before their lives have value in the eyes of our government and our culture. That’s why Family Policy Alliance® and our state-based allies work hard to advance innovative laws that honor the lives of preborn children. What if, at the moment a family finds out they’re expecting, they could sign up for an education savings account for their new child, that could be used upon the child enrolling in school? That would be quite a savings account! What if parents could place their preborn child’s name on a school waiting list? Or obtain medical insurance coverage for baby, even if the parents are uninsured? Claim tax credits and deductions because your family size is already plus-1? What if relatives could open a savings account in the baby’s name, that no one else would have access to except the child when mature?

These types of benefits being available directly for the preborn baby could give families an additional eight or nine more months to plan and prepare for the arrival of their child. It would also bring great peace of mind to parents, knowing they have a six-year head start on their education savings, or a tax-credit that comes in the mail just in time to support their growing family.

We know preborn babies have the right to life! Now it’s time to work with state lawmakers to expand on this idea and ensure we’re exploring other ways to cherish the lives of preborn babies—especially as legislators head back to state Capitols this January, the prolife month.

By Stephanie, Esq., policy manager for Family Policy Alliance