Politics & Government
Bill To Repeal Ban On Abortion Coverage Heads To Northam's Desk
The Virginia Senate passed a bill Thursday repealing the ban on abortion coverage on the state's health care insurance exchange.
RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Senate passed a bill Thursday repealing the ban on abortion coverage on the state's health care insurance exchange. The legislation could make Virginia the first state in the South to repeal the coverage ban.
The bill, HB 1896, passed on a party-line 22-17 vote in the Senate, with all Democrats voting for it. Both HB 1896 and its companion, SB 1276, which passed in the House on Tuesday, head to the desk of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who is expected to sign them.
In Virginia, abortion is the only medical procedure banned from coverage on the state health care insurance exchange. The ban disproportionately harms people who are employed without insurance, underemployed, unemployed, or self-employed and purchase their insurance through the state exchange, according to the bill’s supporters.
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“Repealing the ban is long overdue, and I’m proud that Virginia is leading the charge,” Del. Sally Hudson (D-Charlottesville), who introduced the bill, said Thursday in a statement.
Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) introduced the Senate version of the bill.
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The current prohibition on abortion coverage dates back to 2011, soon after the federal Affordable Care Act was passed under then-President Barack Obama. The Virginia ban was passed under then-Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, upon the creation of the state health exchanges.
Abortion is covered by many employer-provided health insurance plans, which are not regulated under the Virginia health insurance marketplace.
“Del. Hudson deserves major kudos for her victory today and those legislators who voted to put healthcare decisions back into the hands of patients and families,” Tarina Keene, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, said Thursday in a statement. “This ban was the ultimate government overreach and should never have been put into law, but today, the people have spoken.”
NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia said it worked closely with Hudson and McClellan to get the bill passed.
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