Ga., Minn., Texas Pass Legislation To Restrict Abortion Access

April 14, 2011 — The Georgia House on Tuesday voted 98-63 to approve a bill (SB 177) that limits coverage of abortion services in the state's health insurance exchange, the AP/NECN reports (AP/NECN, 4/12).

The federal health reform law (PL 111-148) calls for states to establish health insurance exchanges. To ensure that no federal funds pay for abortion care, the law imposes new restrictions on private insurance plans. It allows private insurers selling health plans through the exchanges to provide abortion coverage, but requires enrollees who purchase plans that include abortion coverage to make two separate premium payments, one for the abortion coverage and one for the remainder of the coverage. Abortion-rights advocates have criticized the two-payment system, saying that it is cumbersome for insurers and could lead them to opt out of providing abortion coverage altogether. The law also allows states to enact legislation prohibiting private insurance coverage of abortion care altogether (Women's Health Policy Report, 4/11).

The bill now goes to the Senate, which would need to approve the measure before it could be sent to Gov. Nathan Deal (R) (AP/NECN, 4/12).

Minn. Senate Health Panel Approve Fetal Pain, State Funding Ban Measures

The Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday approved two bills that would restrict abortion services, the AP/CBS Minnesota reports. The first bill (SF 711) prohibits abortion after 20 weeks gestation, with no exceptions for rape, incest or mental health. The bill would allow abortion beyond 20 weeks to save a woman's life or to prevent irreversible physical harm to the woman.

The second measure (SF 264) would bar state-funded health programs from funding abortion. Gov. Mark Dayton (D), who supports abortion rights, is not likely to sign either bill, according to the AP/CBS Minnesota (AP/CBS Minnesota, 4/12).

Texas Panel Clears Sonogram Bill

The Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs on Tuesday approved a compromise bill that would require a woman to have a sonogram before receiving abortion care, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. The compromise reconciled the stricter House version of the measure with a less-stringent Senate version. Groups representing women and doctors oppose the compromise bill.

The new measure includes several restrictions that were part of both chambers' bills. Physicians would be required to show the woman the sonogram image and have her listen to a fetal heartbeat monitor and a detailed description of the fetus at least 24 hours before she received an abortion procedure.

State Sen. Dan Patrick (R) said the compromise includes exemptions in cases of rape, incest or instances where the fetus is not expected to survive. The measure also exempts women in rural areas from waiting 24 hours (AP/Houston Chronicle, 4/12).