Bill Would End State Insured Abortions

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Bill Would End State Insured Abortions

Special Report - June 2, 2008
A bill that would prohibit the State’s health insurance plan from being used to pay for the medical or surgical abortions of teachers and state employees has been introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly. Senator Andrew Brock (R-Davie) introduced S2028-State Health Plan/No Abortion Coverage on May 27. The measure would “prohibit coverage for abortions under the Teachers and State Employees’ Comprehensive Major Medical Plan,” allowing no benefits or coverage of “charges for medical or surgical abortion procedures.” Senator Brock has introduced similar legislation in previous sessions.

According to the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division, funding for abortions and abortion-related services through the State Health Plan continues to rise. In 2002, the State Health Plan spent over $1.4 million in total abortion-related claims, an 11 percent increase over the claims paid in 2001 ($1.2 million), and a 76 percent increase over claims paid in 2000 ($795,208).

Currently, 12 states place restrictions on abortion coverage under state health insurance plans, including two states (Colorado and Kentucky) that completely prohibit insurance coverage of abortion for state employees, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute.

“S2028 would significantly reduce the number of abortions paid for with state taxpayer dollars,” said John Rustin, vice president and director of government relations for the North Carolina Family Policy Council. “Abortion ends the lives of millions of unborn children. The State has no business forcing taxpayers to pay for a controversial procedure that millions of Americans find morally and socially offensive.”