Lawmakers in Illinois, considered a lenient state in terms of abortion rights, continue to debate the issue.
In 2015, lawmakers pondered removing legal provisions denying abortion coverage for Medicaid recipients as well as women covered via state government health
insurance plans, Progress Illinois noted.
"No matter where your coverage comes from, you should have equal access and you should have equitable coverage," said Brigid Leahy, director of government relations for Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
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Gov. Bruce Rauner spoke out on abortion access when he ran for governor in 2014. He opposes it but says it's not for government to get involved, noting that women must discuss their individual healthcare needs with their family and doctor.
"I believe abortion is a tragedy. It's a sad event I wish didn't occur," Rauner said,
according to Crain's Chicago Business.
State Rep. Peter Breen, who represents the state's 48th District, spoke out in May 2015 against an amendment to the state's Right of Conscience Act, which allows healthcare providers who oppose abortion not to provide medical treatment as it violates their beliefs.
"Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life on abortion, I hope you would agree that the State of Illinois should not force people to participate in
abortions," Breen wrote in a letter to his colleagues in the Illinois House of Representatives.
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"If you believe that abortion decision should be between a woman and her doctor, then I hope you would agree that the state has no business inserting itself into the conversation," he added. "If a woman wants a pro-life doctor who will not recommend or refer for abortion, I hope you would agree she should have that right."
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