Lawmakers renew push on abortion insurance bill
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Democratic state lawmakers are renewing a push t to require insurers who cover maternity care - which Washington insurers are mandated to provide - to also pay for abortions.
They are championing the Reproductive Parity Act, which is meant to ensure that existing abortion coverage be preserved once new health insurance rules come into effect in 2014 under national health care reform.
The bill will receive a public hearing on Thursday in the Health Care and Wellness Committee of the Democratic-controlled House, which passed a similar measure a year ago.
Its fate will likely be determined in the Senate, however, which is controlled by a group of 23 Republicans and two Democrats calling itself the Majority Coalition Caucus.
They are championing the Reproductive Parity Act, which is meant to ensure that existing abortion coverage be preserved once new health insurance rules come into effect in 2014 under national health care reform.
The bill will receive a public hearing on Thursday in the Health Care and Wellness Committee of the Democratic-controlled House, which passed a similar measure a year ago.
Its fate will likely be determined in the Senate, however, which is controlled by a group of 23 Republicans and two Democrats calling itself the Majority Coalition Caucus.
Are these the same legislators that are pushing to remove the death penalty in this state? How the heck could anyone believe in forcing insurance companies to cover elective abortions but not the death penalty?
I thought Obama just gave some fancy speech with a few kids behind him saying we need to save the children... I'm confused.
Abortion should be an elective procedure.
@Smashquail --- Agreed. If I have to pay for everyone's abortions, then plastic surgury should be covered as well.Â
Not a bad idea. It will save the insurance companies lots of money. Medical coverage for kids is expensive. If the only issue was money then its a good idea.
 @Blindman It won't save them anything. Have you seen the costs of medical insurance for kids? It's outrageous. And it's only getting more expensive....
@Blindman --- Wait, what? "Medical coverge for kids is expensive." What are you saying?Â
and these are the same idiots that will complain the the premiums go up and claim they do not understand why
Forcing insurance companies to cover abortion will increase the premiums for all, regardless of their wish to use the benefit or not. If the legislators wish to create a mandate for this, why not start forcing health insurance companies to start offering their policies "a la carte"Â like auto policies do?
Why is pro-choice only about choice if you agree with their choice?
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I can see requiring coverage of abortion in cases of rape, incest or danger to the mother, but let the people who own these companies and small businesses the freedom to follow their own conscience. And let the employees be responsible for their own reproductive actions. If a person absolutely wants abortion on demand, they can work for a company that provides it.