Washington state eyes 1st abortion insurance mandate in nation

[Zephie]

With 21 states having adopted bans or severe restrictions on insurance companies from paying for abortions, Washington is alone in seriously considering legislation mandating the opposite. The Reproductive Parity Act, as supporters call it, would require insurers in Washington state who cover maternity care - which all insurers must do - to also pay for abortions. The bill passed the state House earlier this month by a vote of 53-43, though it faces an uncertain future in the Senate. (A similar bill in the New York state Assembly has been introduced each session for over a decade but has never received a public hearing.)

The proximate cause of Washington state's measure is the federal Affordable Care Act. Thanks to language in it pushed by congressional Republicans, insurers selling their plans on the state exchanges taking effect next year will have to segregate the premiums they collect for abortion coverage.

Supporters of Washington state's proposed abortion insurance mandate are careful to stress that it wouldn't lead to a dramatic uptick in abortions or require carriers with a religious bent to cover the procedure. They also note that a pair of federal plans that will be sold on all 50 state exchanges will be barred from covering elective abortions.

"It's not expanding abortion coverage," said Democratic Rep. Eileen Cody of West Seattle, the bill's primary sponsor. "It's ensuring the rights of women to get what they're paying for now and to continue their freedom of choice."

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Wash-state-eyes-1st-abortion-insurance-mandate-in-US-199683571.html

[Control-Z]

1. Go Washington!!

It's about damn time we began expanding women's right to abortion rather than the constant, endless chipping away.

[rhett o rick]

2. It faces "an uncertain future in the Senate." Not that "uncertain" since two Blue Damn Dog

Democrats(?) are caucusing with the Repukes giving them an slight numbers advantage (i think one vote)

At least one of these two turn-coats took funding from Democrats to get reelected. Then he sold his soul for something shiny. Asshats.

They are the very reason I dont donate to the Democratic Party. They will give the money to Blue Dogs. Donate directly.

[liberal_at_heart]

3. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else(well here in the US anyway). I'd love to live in Europe.