Legislation to Watch
 The Reproductive Parity Act (HB 2330/SB 6185), sponsored by Rep. Eileen Cody (D-34) in the House and Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-44) in the Senate, will help keep Washington's health care system fair and equitable for women. The Act requires all health insurance policies sold in Washington that cover maternity care to also cover abortion care. ALL women, regardless of income, deserve equal access to coverage for basic reproductive health care, including abortion. Washington State has a long history of ensuring a woman’s ability to make the decision to have an abortion, but as Washington proceeds with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Washington women could face increased barriers in their ability to access reproductive health care, including abortion services. Anti-choice politicians in Congress tried to undermine the ACA and inserted a provision to roll back reproductive health care protections that states like Washington value. This legislation addresses that problem and helps ensure that Washington’s health care system remains fair and equitable for all women. While numerous states across the country have instituted outright bans on health insurance coverage for abortion in their health care exchanges, the Washington legislature is considering a bill that protects access to women’s health care. |
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