Washington state weighs first-in-the-nation abortion insurance mandate
Published March 24, 2013 / Associated Press
In 1970, Washington became the first — and remains the only — state in the country to legalize elective abortions by a popular vote.
A generation later, and 40 years removed from the landmark United States Supreme Court Roe v. Wade ruling that extended abortion access nationwide, Washington is once again poised to stand out.
With 21 states having adopted bans or severe restrictions on insurance companies from paying for abortions, Washington is alone in seriously considering legislation mandating the opposite.
The Reproductive Parity Act, as supporters call it, would require insurers in Washington state who cover maternity care — which all insurers must do — to also pay for abortions.
The bill passed the state House earlier this month by a vote of 53-43, though it faces an uncertain future in the Senate. A similar bill in the New York state Assembly has been introduced each session for over a decade but has never received a public hearing.
“This is a core value for Washingtonians,” said Melanie Smith, a lobbyist for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “We should protect it while we still have it and not leave access to basic health care up to an insurance company.”
The proximate cause of Washington state’s measure is the federal Affordable Care Act. Thanks to language placed in it to assuage anti-abortion congressional Democrats, insurers selling their plans on the state exchanges taking effect next year will have to segregate the premiums they collect for abortion coverage.
You will find the rest of the story here.Monster
I hope this idiocy fails to pass, but given that it is Washington state, I have a sick feeling that it will.
I also cannot ignore the irony that Obamacare is going to pay for the murder of unborn children that will not even get a chance at productive lives, yet refuse care for the elderly, most of which have led productive lives and contributed much to this nation, simply because it is considered to be too expensive.
We have now reached the point where government bureaucrats, who have had no medical training outside of applying a band-aid and popping pills, will be deciding who among us lives or dies.
This is not really America anymore, and I cannot help but wonder just when our plug is going to be pulled for good.
-Dave
(H/t: Drudge)