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Republican Lawmakers Reintroduce Plan To Bar Abortions In State Health Coverage

Only Medically Necessary Abortions Are Currently Covered

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Wisconsin State Capitol
JeromeG111 (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Republican state lawmakers have reintroduced a proposal to bar the state from providing insurance plans that cover abortion services, with a few exceptions.

Currently, state health plans can provide coverage for medically necessary or so-called “therapeutic” abortions. The new measure would prevent the state Group Insurance Board, which oversees health insurance for state employees, from contracting with plans that cover any abortions, unless those abortions are to save the life of the mother or result from rape or incest.

“The bill isn’t saying you can’t have this procedure done,” said Rep. David Craig, R-Town of Vernon, one of the bill’s sponsors. “What the bill is saying is that state taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for it.”

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Wisconsin’s Medicaid program has already eliminated abortion coverage. Plans sold in Wisconsin under the Affordable Care Act are also barred from including the services.

Opponents to the proposed legislation argued abortions should be available to women who need them as a medical necessity.

Rep. Andre Jacque, R-DePere, another of the bill’s sponsors, said he doesn’t believe abortions are medically necessary, a claim Democrats pushed back on.

“I just find it so degrading to women who are out there listening when you suggest that you never need an abortion because you’re having a health issue or you never need abortion because you’re having a life issue,” said Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison. “Those women don’t want to make that decision, I can tell you.”

The Wisconsin Medical Society and groups fighting domestic abuse and sexual assault registered Wednesday in opposition to the measure as the Assembly Health Committee held a hearing on the measure. Three anti-abortion groups are supporting the measure.

A similar bill was introduced in 2013, but did not pass.

The renewed proposal has yet to receive a vote in committee.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with original reporting from WPR.