Bill Would Require Health Insurance Policies Sold in Washington to Cover Abortion
BY CIENNA MADRID PUBLISHED ON THE SLOG (THE STRANGER)Since the passage of Obama's Affordable Care Act, dozens of states have attempted to restrict women's access to insurance-covered abortions. Washington State is the exception: At a press conference yesterday, Representative Eileen Cody (D-34), Chair of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, announced her sponsorship of a bill that would require all health insurance policies sold in Washington that offer maternity coverage to also cover abortions. Washington State insurers currently couple their maternity and abortion coverage. This bill, called the Reproductive Parity Act, would maintain that status quo through 2014, when every Washington resident will be required to purchase health insurance coverage in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. Washington is the only state to introduce such legislation. In stark contrast, thirteen states have passed laws banning insurance companies for covering abortion in the last year.
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