HCS HB 1725 -- HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ABORTIONS

SPONSOR:  Pollock (Davis)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Children and Families by a vote of 6 to 3.

This substitute prohibits health insurance exchanges established
in Missouri or any exchange administered by the federal
government or its agencies from offering health insurance
contracts, plans, policies, or optional riders that provide
coverage for elective abortions.

A qualified nonprofit health insurance issuer offering qualified
health plans under a federal CO-OP program established in Section
1322 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010,
commonly known as the federal health care reform bill, is
prohibited from providing coverage or optional riders for
elective abortions.  The State of Missouri must not enter into
contracts to offer a standard health plan under a basic health
program established in Section 1331 of the federal health care
reform bill that provides coverage or an optional rider for
elective abortions or enter into any interstate health care
choice compacts that allow the offering of health insurance
contracts, plans, or policies that provide coverage or an
optional rider for elective abortions.

In accordance with the state opt-out provisions of the federal
health care reform bill, any health insurance exchange is
prohibited from offering a community health insurance option.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and
FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill reinforces Missouri's
longstanding public policy not to fund abortions.  The separate
payment requirement would apply to everyone that participates in
a health insurance exchange.  States can opt out of abortion
coverage, and the fact that this opt-out provision exists shows
that there is abortion coverage in the federal health care reform
bill.  Legislators need to take action to opt out.  Missouri is a
pro-life state, and legislators need to speak for the people.
Individuals should not be forced to subsidize abortions.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Pollock; Missouri
Family Policy Council; Campaign Life Missouri; Missouri Catholic
Conference; Missouri Right to Life; Bev Ehlen, Concerned Women
for America of Missouri; and Missouri Family Network.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that Missouri is one of
only five states that currently interfere in abortion insurance
coverage this way.  There is no evidence that any insurance
company offers an abortion rider, and states that do offer
abortion services through insurance provide it through the core
insurance plan, not as a rider.  The provision banning riders
should be removed so that a rider would be available.

Testifying against the bill were Planned Parenthood Affiliates in
Missouri; and NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:11 pm