Wash. Legislature Ends Special Session Without Action on Abortion Coverage Bill

April 13, 2012 — The Washington Legislature ended a monthlong special session on Wednesday without action on a bill (HB 2330) that would have required health plans that cover maternity care to also cover abortion care, Politico's "Pulse" reports (Millman, "Pulse," Politico, 4/12).

The bill had passed the House, and Democrats initially expected to have the necessary Senate votes for approval. After senators voted down two attempts to bring it to the floor, supporters said they would try to address the bill in the special session (Women's Health Policy Report, 3/16).

According to "Pulse," some supporters suggested last month that they would push for a ballot measure if the bill failed in the special session. If enacted, the legislation would make Washington the first state to require abortion coverage in plans offering maternity benefits ("Pulse," Politico, 4/12).