A piece of legislation in Oregon would require insurance companies to provide free abortions to women, including illegal immigrants living in the state.
According to The Hill, the bill is expected to reach Democratic Gov. Kate Brown's desk in days. The state would appropriate $10 million to cover the costs of abortions and post-natal care to women, regardless of whether they have health insurance under the measure.
Insurance companies would not be allowed to pass the costs incurred for the services to people who have health insurance, and insurers who object to abortion on religious grounds would be able to forgo offering the procedure as part of their plans.
Instead, the bill would use taxpayer money to fund abortions.
Oregon's state House passed the measure Sunday. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill soon.
"I don't believe that most Oregonians are OK with the fact that they will be forced to pay for late-term, sex-selective abortions," Oregon Senate Republican Conference spokesperson Jonathan Lockwood told The Hill. "This bill is nothing more than a political gift card to Planned Parenthood, and we've seen Planned Parenthood engaged in political actions."
Democratic Rep. Julie Fahey sponsored the bill and lobbied for its passage over the weekend via her Twitter account:
The Washington Times reported the Oregon House Democrats as saying this after Sunday's vote: "Oregon is once again leading the way on healthcare! Even while the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress are trying to strip away reproductive rights, Oregon is ensuring access regardless of income, citizenship status, gender identity, or type of insurance."
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