Mich. Legislature approves abortion insurance law
12/11/2013LANSING, Mich. — The Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature has passed a law banning almost all abortion coverage from health insurance plans unless an additional policy is bought.
The Right to Life-backed initiative becomes law in March without Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature. He vetoed similar legislation last year ago but has no power to do so this time.
The Senate voted 27-11. The House voted 62-47.
Employers and individuals will have to buy extra insurance to cover almost all abortions. Their primary plan won’t apply in cases of rape or incest and only if an abortion is needed to save the woman’s life.
Of 23,000 abortions in Michigan last year, health insurance covered 3 percent. Democrats say it’s despicable to require women to buy special abortion insurance in advance of being raped.