Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) proposed plans to direct $100 million in taxpayer dollars to crisis pregnancy centers, declaring that the state has "a moral obligation" to support families following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last year.

Lee is calling for establishing a grant program to support crisis pregnancy centers operating in the state to improve "access to healthcare and information for expecting mothers," which, if approved by the legislature, would represent a significant investment in the facilities, which typically offer counseling and other prenatal services to pregnant women as an alternative to abortion.

"Last year, Tennessee’s budget funded ultrasound machines at crisis pregnancy clinics across the state. This year, I’m proposing a $100 million grant program to partner with nonprofits that serve mothers, fathers, and families during a crisis pregnancy," said Lee during his State of the State address Monday night. "Our Office of Faith-Based Initiatives has a unique ability, and an important opportunity, to engage nonprofits and community organizations. I believe it’s time to equip them with the resources they need to play a bigger role as we endeavor to better serve children and families."

The state is not the only one directing money toward crisis pregnancy centers. In fiscal 2021-2022, almost $89 million was directed to the centers across a dozen states, according to an analysis of state budgets by the Associated Press.

Lee also proposed additional investments in TennCare, the state's Medicaid program that primarily provides healthcare for low-income pregnant women. As part of his budget plan, Lee is pushing for TennCare to cover the cost of diapers for the first two years of a baby's life.

"If approved, Tennessee will be the first Medicaid program in the nation to implement this kind of support," said Lee. "That's pro-life. That's pro-family."

Tennessee has an abortion ban that went into effect after the Supreme Court's ruling last year, which makes performing an abortion a felony. The law is considered one of the strictest in the country and does not provide exceptions for rape or incest. Several state Republican lawmakers have expressed support for explicitly carving out an exception for the life of the mother in recent weeks.

Lee currently serves on the advisory board for Hope Clinic for Women, a faith-based crisis pregnancy center.