In Washington, D.C., lawmakers are celebrating the last-minute preservation of the adoption tax credit, touting it as a sign of their commitment to supporting families and reducing the number of children in foster care. However, this celebration is misplaced. The adoption tax credit is fundamentally flawed and fails to address the pressing issues that keep children in the foster care system.
Originally conceived as a bipartisan initiative to incentivize families to adopt children from foster care, the truth is that the adoption tax credit has not made a significant impact on the number of children awaiting adoption. In my home state of Ohio, for instance, there are currently 453 children and sibling groups looking for adoptive families. Across the country, the number of children waiting for adoption exceeds 100,000. Meanwhile, the often-cited statistic that suggests there are 36 couples ready to adopt for every infant available is misleading and highlights a significant disconnect in our adoption system.
Rather than promoting adoptions from foster care, the tax credit has primarily alleviated the financial burden associated with private infant adoptions, which can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Many families find themselves waiting years for a newborn, even as countless older children linger in foster care. The current situation is untenable. While the tax credit may provide some financial relief for those adopting from foster care, it falls far short of addressing the comprehensive support needed for families who embark on this journey. Emotional and social resources, which are crucial for the success of adoptive families, are alarmingly lacking.
Moreover, there is no tax relief available for pregnant individuals facing the difficult decision of whether to abort, parent, or place their child for adoption. For these individuals, support is scarce, while judgment and limited options abound. As the director of a pro-choice adoption agency, I believe it is vital that pregnant women understand all their choices—adoption, abortion, or parenting—and are empowered to make the best decision for themselves.
What’s even more disturbing is that, in the same tax revision process, lawmakers not only contemplated cuts to the already limited resources that help place children in adoptive homes but also proposed financial benefits for unborn children. This approach prioritizes potential life over the needs of children already in our systems and undermines the chances of foster children being adopted.
These cuts are not about caring for families or women; they are about advancing specific agendas. The preservation of the adoption credit serves as a stark reminder that our lawmakers prioritize unborn children over those already facing hardship. While discussions about the adoption credit continue, essential social support programs that were once in place have been systematically dismantled, leaving pregnant individuals without adequate resources. Lawmakers have failed to provide the foundational support necessary for parenting, the quality and affordability of childcare, and the educational resources required to connect foster care systems with potential adoptive families.
Despite being the founder of an adoption agency and having a personal connection to adoption through my own experience, I cannot commend the House’s amendment or the Senate’s decision to maintain the tax credit. If we genuinely want to reduce the number of children in foster care, we must enhance financial assistance for low-income families, increase living support for those considering adoption, and stop undermining women’s reproductive rights.
Maintaining the federal adoption credit is essential, but it is merely a small piece of the broader support system that at-risk pregnant individuals desperately need. Until we see a comprehensive approach to provide better care and resources for all families, we must hold our lawmakers accountable for their responsibilities toward women and children. For more insights on family planning, consider exploring this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, the adoption tax credit may offer some benefits, but it is insufficient in addressing the systemic issues within the adoption landscape. A more holistic approach is necessary to truly support families and children in need.