Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the state health insurance from covering abortions.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the Group Insurance Board from providing or contracting to provide a group health insurance plan or health benefit that covers abortions, except for abortions due to the following circumstances (Sec. 5):
• An abortion directly and medically necessary to save the patient’s life;
• An abortion directly and medically necessary to prevent “grave, long-lasting” physical health damage to the patient due to a prior medical condition; or
• An abortion in a case of sexual assault or incest that was previously reported.

• Exempts insurers from being required to provide coverage for a contraceptive drug, device, or medical services to a religious employer and to a religious organization or religious institution of higher education if they meet the following criteria (Sec. 8):
• The organization or institution opposes providing coverage for some or all contraceptive services on account of religious objections;
• The organization or institution is organized and operates as a nonprofit entity;
• The organization or institution holds itself as a religious organization or entity; and
• The organization or institution certifies in writing that it meets these criteria and maintains the certification in its records for the plan year of which it seeks exemption.

• Requires an insurer to provide coverage for a contraceptive drug, device, or medical services to an exempted religious employer, organization, or institution in the following circumstances (Sec. 8):
• The contraceptive coverage is requested by the religious employer, organization, or institution; and
• The contraceptive coverage is for a medically necessary purpose other than preventing or terminating a pregnancy.

Full Bill Text