Lawmakers in Washington State Advance Bill That Would Mandate Abortion Coverage in Student Health Plans
“It’s just another attempt to force insurance providers to cover abortions regardless of the religious, social or other objections of institutions and individuals”
California did this a while back. It’s surprising that a state like Washington doesn’t already have this.
The College Fix reports:
Washington state lawmakers advance bill mandating abortion coverage in student health plans
A bill that would require Washington state colleges and universities to cover abortions in student health plans recently passed both chambers of the state legislature, and appears likely to be signed into law.
HB 1009 would mandate that student health plans “may not limit a woman’s access to services related to the voluntary abortion of a pregnancy” and insurance plans “that provide coverage for maternity care or services must also provide substantially equivalent coverage to permit the voluntary abortion of a pregnancy.”
The legislation passed the state senate on April 6 in a 29-19 party-line vote and has already passed the state house. It awaits Governor Jay Inslee’s signature as of April 14.
One Republican state senator told The College Fix why he opposed the legislation.
“It’s just another attempt to force insurance providers to cover abortions regardless of the religious, social or other objections of institutions and individuals,” Mike Padden told The Fix via emailed responses sent through his staff.
“I am concerned that HB 1009 violates the religious liberty of Washingtonians,” Padden said. He said the bill, along with another law called the Reproductive Parity Act, “are about as far away from being pro-choice as any mandate could be, in that they force private insurers to offer coverage for abortions.”
The Reproductive Parity Act is a 2018 law that required all health plans to cover abortion.
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