Rhode Island Governor Signs Bill to Fund Abortion for State Workers and Medicaid Recipients

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee signed a bill into law Thursday that would let state funds be used to pay for health insurance plans that cover state workers and Medicaid recipients seeking abortions. The signing ceremony was held almost immediately after the state Senate approved the measure, also Thursday, on a 24-12 vote following less than an hour of debate in the chamber. McKee, a Democrat, said he was proud to sign the bill into law and include related funding in his state budget proposal. “Here in Rhode Island, we will always protect a woman’s right to choose and ensure equal access to these crucial health care services,” he said. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] An identical version of the measure cleared cleared the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on April 27 by a 49-24 vote. Democratic state Senator Bridget Valverde, one of the bill’s sponsors, said that despite a vote by Rhode Island lawmakers four years ago to enshrine the right to safe, legal abortion in the state, the work to help guarantee access to abortions was unfinished. “For so many the right has remained illusive,” she said. “That’s because a right to a health care service is useless if we intentionally prevent people’s health insurance from covering it.” Medicaid patients and state workers deserve to have the same access to care as people enrolled in private health insurance plans, she said. Read ...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized abortion overnight wire Source Type: news