Mississippi Governor Signs $3.5 Million Tax Credit for Pregnancy Resource Centers

Meridian, MS - There are more than thirty pregnancy resource centers in Mississippi. Executive Director Sara Smith for the Center for Pregnancy Choices (CPC) explained how the credit might help the Meridian center.

“I know for the CPC of Meridian; these tax gifts are going to be a major impact on our mission moving forward because we're trying to become what's called a medical PRC. So, we will have an ultrasound machine in the office to be able to provide signs of life for people who are wondering how far along they are and to see and hear their baby for the very first time. And that causes a very huge increase in our budget”, stated Smith.

Gov. Tate Reeves signed the tax credit on April 21, 2022. We spoke to the governor on Monday about why he felt it was important to provide aid for pregnancy resource centers.

“We also wanted to invest to make sure that we invest in those pregnant moms that maybe need some help, need opportunities to be pointed in the right direction. These pregnancy resource centers some 37 of them all situated throughout Mississippi, are an opportunity for us to do that”, said Governor Reeves. “And so, I signed that bill last week to do exactly that, to say to the expected moms;” Hey, we're going to work to try to make life better for you and make life better for your child.”

CPC Meridian provides its service to women for free, the governor’s tax credit will help the center to continue offering women services such as counseling.

“So, whether it's going to be in the future with the medical services, with ultrasonography, or if it's going to be the doula services that we've recently been talking about, or supplies, baby showers, emotional support, future counseling, and other expanded programs. We want to continue to be able to give those programs free of charge, so people have the health care that they need.”

Smith also tells Twin States News that there will be more specific details provided about the credit later in June.