Bill Introduced to Lift Ban on Abortion Coverage for State Employee Health Plans
GoLocalProv Political Team
Bill Introduced to Lift Ban on Abortion Coverage for State Employee Health Plans
“With 19 cosponsors in the Senate, the support for this bill is clear. And that’s because it’s common sense that no one should be denied coverage of a basic medical procedure because of where they work or how much money they make. Medicaid patients and those covered under state employee health plans deserve the same coverage as someone with private insurance. The explicit denial of health coverage for abortion that is currently written into law has to end and we’ll be working hard over the next few months to reach that goal,” said Valverde.
The bill would also ensure that abortion care is covered by Medicaid.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Access to healthcare services is determined in most cases by an individual’s health insurance. Right now, there are people for whom there is a barrier to access to abortion solely as a result of their insurance coverage. Ensuring that Medicaid and state insurance plans cover abortion ensures equal access to health services so that people have the opportunity to make their own choices about their lives and their families,” said Cassar.
The Legislation
The legislation eliminates sections of the law that prohibit state employees’ and Medicaid recipients’ insurance from covering for abortion, except in cases of rape or incest or where the life of the mother would be endangered, as required by federal law.
In compliance with the federal Hyde Amendment, the bill adds language that specifies that no federal funds shall be used to pay for them, except as authorized under federal law.
The law would take effect upon passage.
The bill would add Rhode Island to the ranks of 16 states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine, whose Medicaid programs cover abortion.