Sen. Jansen introduces bill preventing taxpayer funding of abortions
LANSING — Legislation to prevent taxpayer funding for abortion under Michigan health insurance plans was introduced in the state Senate Tuesday, said sponsor Sen. Mark C. Jansen, R-Gaines Township.
Senate Bill 1294 will require individuals who want to include abortion as a covered benefit to purchase an optional insurance rider. The measure will also apply to plans subsidized by the federal or state government under the recently passed national health care measures.
“Federal law gives states the right to opt out of providing publicly funded abortion coverage, and Michigan is exercising that right,” Jansen said. “This measure will implement what the majority of Michigan voters want by restricting what public dollars can be used for.”
The Hyde Amendment prohibits federal taxpayer dollars from paying for elective abortions. The national Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) unfortunately did not include the language of the Hyde Amendment, which has been attached to the federal Department of Health and Human Services appropriations bill every year since 1976.
Jansen said most Michigan residents do not want public funds to finance abortions. The PPACA contains a special provision allowing the states to exclude abortion as a covered benefit in their health plans.
States across the country are responding to this situation and some state legislatures have already introduced or passed this type of “opt out” provision.
SB 1294 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health Policy for consideration.
Posted: Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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