Editor’s note. The following update was provided by Wisconsin Right to Life.
On Wednesday, May 25, the Senate Public Health, Human Services and Revenue Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 92, legislation that would opt Wisconsin out of abortion coverage in the health insurance plans that would be offered through Wisconsin’s health insurance exchange created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Senate Bill 92 is authored by Senator Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) and Assembly Representative Robin Vos (R-Racine).
Wisconsin Right to Life strongly supports Senate Bill 92. Wisconsin Right to Life Legislative Director, Susan Armacost offered testimony at the hearing in support of the measure.
One of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care [also known as ObamaCare] requires states to operate and maintain “health insurance exchanges.” Qualified health insurance plans offering abortion coverage are allowed to participate in a state’s exchange and to receive federal subsidies unless the state legislature affirmatively opts-out of offering abortion coverage.
Specific language in the PPACA permits a state to opt-out of allowing insurance plans that cover abortions to participate in that state’s exchanges.
Senate Bill 92 clarifies that a qualified health plan as defined in the federal law that is offered through any exchange operating in the State of Wisconsin may not cover any abortion whose performance is ineligible for funding under Wisconsin’s current funding law, s. 20.927.
The Senate committee will soon vote on Senate Bill 92 and it will then be scheduled for a vote by the full State Senate. We will keep you informed about this important legislation as it progresses through the legislative process.