There are now four states that require insurance companies covering maternity costs to also cover the costs of abortion.
Oregon, California, New York and Washington all require any insurance company providing women with maternity care coverage to also provide abortion coverage for any women in the state seeking to end a pregnancy through their state insurance provider.
Washington became the fourth state to join the list of states providing abortion coverage after Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, signed the measure into law Wednesday, according to The Statesman. Almost all the insurance companies in the state of Washington already cover the costs of abortion, but now all companies will be required to do so following the law’s passage.
“This law guarantees that right and also helps provide a little more certainty for women in our state,” state Sen. Steve Hobbs, a Democrat who introduced the legislation, said, KIRO7 News reported. “At a time when access to health care and services are at risk all across our country, I’m proud that once again our state has stood up to protect these rights.”
Getting an abortion at 12 weeks along in pregnancy costs roughly $800, and $3,275 at 22 to 24 weeks, according to Clear Health Costs that cites a Los Angeles Planned Parenthood clinic.
“I think [this bill is] a step in the right direction, but there’s more work to be done. We need to push for cover for all folks: gender, sexual orientation, identify ethnicity and income levels,” Planned Parenthood communications manager Katie Rogers said.
Ten states prevent insurance companies from covering abortion in plans that are regulated by the state. Texas will become the eleventh state after it passed a law in 2017 restricting private insurance companies from covering abortion costs. That law will take effect in April, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
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