Texas Senate advances ban on abortion insurance plans
The bill -- approved 20-10 along party lines with Sen.
"I believe the majority of Texans prefer not to subsidize the elective abortion coverage of others," Creighton said.
SB 8 allows insurance coverage for abortions needed to save a woman's life, and
"Insurance is not meant for things you hope to do, it's to cover something that is unexpected," said Sen.
Creighton said 25 states ban abortion coverage under the Affordable Care Act, while 10 states prohibit private insurance plans from offering general abortion coverage.
"I believe
Sen.
"Do you believe the government should tell private businesses how they operate?" Watson asked.
Watson also said SB 8 prohibits insurance companies from taking health care savings that abortion coverage provides when calculating premiums for abortion coverage -- an unprecedented intrusion into how insurers conduct actuarial analyses, he said.
"There is no ban on this type of coverage, it is just allowed through a supplemental plan," said Creighton, who estimated that supplemental abortion coverage would cost
Said Sen. Jose Menéndez, D-
But Sen.
"There are millions and millions of Texans that are pro-life. Should they be compelled to finance the costs of abortions that are essentially socialized by insurance companies in the cost of every consumers' premium?" Huffines said.
A final vote on SB 8 is expected later Wednesday, sending the bill to the House.
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