Mich. House Panel Approves New Version of Insurance Overhaul Without Abortion Restrictions

February 25, 2013 — The Michigan House Insurance Committee on Thursday approved an insurance overhaul bill (SB 61, SB 62) that does not include an abortion-related provision that led Gov. Rick Snyder (R) to veto similar legislation in December, the AP/Oakland Press reports.

The new bill would convert Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan into a consumer-owned, not-for-profit insurer (Eggert, AP/Oakland Press, 2/22). If it passes a full House vote, it will go to Snyder for approval (Gray, Detroit Free Press, 2/22).

Snyder rejected a similar measure (SB 1293, SB 1294) in December because it included a provision that barred health plans and employers from offering abortion coverage. Under the provision, women who wanted abortion coverage would have to purchase it through a separate rider (Women's Health Policy Report, 1/3).

Prior to the committee's approval, an amendment was circulated that would have barred insurance coverage for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest and when a woman's health was in danger. However, no committee members proposed it before Thursday's vote (AP/Oakland Press, 2/22).