Health Care Exchange Abortion Coverage Bill

Air Date:02/14/2012

The State House of Representatives passed a bill that prohibits qualified health plans offered through a health care exchange from including abortion coverage. States are mandated to set up exchanges through the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Representative John Hansen says these policies are subsidized by federal tax dollars, so states are allowed to opt out of abortion coverage. Hansen says South Dakota already has a law that prevents tax dollars from paying for abortion, but the federal law requires states to create new laws opting out of coverage. Opponents say the Governor wants bills dealing with the healthcare exchange put on hold until the Supreme Court rules on the issue. But supporters like Hansen say this is something the state should address now.
 
"We're not furthering the setup of a massive exchange," Hansen says. "We're simply saying if that exchange is set up, which we anticipate that it will, we are going to keep our laws consistent with how they have been held in this state since the 70's."
 
House Bill 11-85 passed by a vote of 55 to 15. 

By Jenifer Jones

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