By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI –
A proposal to limit access to health care coverage for abortion procedures has cleared a state Senate panel. The proposal would require employers or individuals purchasing health care plans to pay higher premiums if they want to include abortion coverage.
Shelli Weisberg is with the American Civil Liberties Union, which opposes the measure. She says it's important for insurance companies to offer abortion coverage because no one plans for unintended pregnancies or unforeseen medical issues.
"Most companies in Michigan do provide coverage for an elective abortion, and this would so deny women really comprehensive healthcare coverage at a time in their life, during pregnancy, when they have the most medical risks."
There is no plan in the Senate to approve the abortion insurance proposal before lawmakers begin a winter break next week.