Abortion Restrictions Should Be Removed From Mich. Health Insurance Legislation, Editorial Argues
December 17, 2012 — A Michigan provision that would bar businesses and insurers from offering abortion coverage in their health plans "imposes government in yet another place where it doesn't belong," a Detroit News editorial states.
The provision is included in legislation (SB 1923, SB 1924) that was "a beneficial repurposing for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan until House meddlers got control of the process," the editorial adds.
Even though the bill was intended to only affect Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the abortion provision is "written in broad terms that apply to insurance companies and businesses throughout Michigan," according to the editorial.
"Lawmakers once again are trying to fix something that isn't broken," it continues, noting that currently, employers are permitted but not required to offer abortion coverage in their health plans.
The editorial notes that many conservatives "who claim to value free enterprise" voted for measure. The editorial calls on Gov. Rick Snyder (R) to "ask the Legislature to reconsider this bill next week or start fresh with a clean bill in the new year" (Detroit News, 12/14).
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
Search the Archives
Subscribe
The Editors
Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership
Andrea Friedman, associate editor & director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership
Marya Torrez, associate editor & senior reproductive health policy counsel, National Partnership
Melissa Safford, associate editor & policy advocate for reproductive health, National Partnership
Perry Sacks, assistant editor & health program associate, National Partnership
Cindy Romero, assistant editor & communications assistant, National Partnership
Justyn Ware, editor
Amanda Wolfe, editor-in-chief
Heather Drost, Hanna Jaquith, Marcelle Maginnis, Ashley Marchand and Michelle Stuckey, staff writers
Tucker Ball, director of new media, National Partnership
