Bill restricting insurance coverage of abortions goes to Gov. Abbott

Aug. 14--The Senate on Sunday advanced to Gov. Greg Abbott a bill prohibiting insurance coverage for abortions in private plans, insurance offered to state workers and coverage purchased under the Affordable Care Act, unless the mother's life is in danger.

House Bill 214, which passed the Senate 20-10, would still allow women to purchase supplemental coverage of the procedure, if available.

Democrats on Saturday tried unsucessfully to add amendments to make exceptions to the bill, including allowing coverage in instances of rape and incest. They said that the bill would make it difficult for low-income women to pay for the procedure.

Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, has said that people shouldn't be forced to pay for insurance coverage of abortions and that there are nonprofits that help low-income women afford the procedure.

HB 13, which would require stricter reporting of abortion-related medical complications, was sent to Abbott last week.

The Senate on Sunday also tentatively approved HB 215, which would require physicians who perform an abortion on a minor to report in the girl's medical record as well as to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission how consent was given, including whether it was through a parent or a court order, among other information.

"We just want to know...when the abortion clinic is pushing girls or putting false information out," said Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, who laid out the bill on the Senate floor on Sunday.

Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, said that there is enough data on such procedures involving minors.

"I just think that this bill is just adding more paperwork...to discourage physicians and perhaps even judges from being involved in this process," she said.

The bill, which was approved 22-9, would also require physicians to certify in writing the type of fetal abnormality that led to the decision for a third-trimester abortion.

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