NWLC on Anti-Abortion Measure in the GOP’s Disastrous Health Care Proposal
Washington, DC – As the Senate votes on dueling health care proposals, the National Women’s Law Center released the following statement:
“Senate Democrats are trying to pass a clean bill to stop health care premiums from skyrocketing for millions of Americans. Senate Republicans? They’re using this impending crisis to try to rip away abortion care coverage and push people onto lower-quality, higher-cost plans,” said Dorianne Mason, senior director of health equity and contraceptive access at the National Women’s Law Center.
“If anyone needed more proof that Senate Republicans are not serious about protecting people’s health care, this latest stunt makes it clear: their priority isn’t lowering premiums or making our health care system work for families — it’s pushing a nationwide abortion coverage ban.”
Instead of extending the enhanced tax credits, the GOP health care proposal could funnel people into high deductible, high out-of-pocket cost plans, as well as punish insurers that cover abortion by stripping crucial cost-sharing reduction payments that make ACA plans more affordable and comprehensive. Their plan also gives insurers an enormous financial incentive to scale back their abortion coverage or drop it completely.
Right now, 25 states either require or permit abortion coverage under ACA plans. Depending on how far along your pregnancy is, abortions can cost anywhere from $600-$2,000 out of pocket. Insurance coverage can make the difference between someone accessing health care or being forced to remain pregnant.
