The
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) specifically permits
states to prohibit insurance providers that participate in the exchange
from covering elective abortions. Governor Corbett has indicated that
Pennsylvania will not create its own exchange. Therefore, to assure that
elective abortion is not included in the federal exchange to be
implemented in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth must affirmatively opt out
by passing a state law. House Bill 818 clearly prohibits the taxpayer
supported insurance plans from covering elective abortions.
HB
818 passed the State House on April 23 with a vote of 144 to 53. It now
heads to the State Senate, where a vote is expected in the coming
weeks. Click here to send a message to your legislators in support of HB 818.
Abortion
coverage has long been prohibited in Pennsylvania's Medicaid program
(except in cases of rape, incest or to avert the death of the mother).
Currently no tax dollars are used for elective abortions anywhere in
Pennsylvania. HB 818 guarantees that the taxpayer supported plans in the
federal government's new health insurance exchange are in line with
this long-standing policy.
House
Bill 818 does not eliminate coverage of abortions in the cases of rape,
incest or to avert the death of the mother. Only elective abortions are
excluded.
