Abortion opponents have turned in more than 315,000 petition signatures calling on the Legislature to place new restrictions on health coverage.
As we hear from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta, the new law would require consumers to buy separate coverage for abortions.
Abortion opponents say they want to make sure that abortion coverage is not automatic when people buy insurance under the new federal healthcare law. The petition-initiated law would require consumers to buy a separate rider for abortion coverage. The Legislature is expected to adopt the measure instead of allowing it to the ballot.
Governor Rick Snyder vetoed a similar provision that was sent him last year by the Legislature, and he says he doesn’t regret it.
“…because it didn’t identify in terms of rape, incest kind of issues appropriately,” he says.
A law initiated by a petition drive cannot be vetoed by the governor.
The question will go to the Legislature once the signatures are certified by a state board. This is the fourth time abortion foes used the petition process to enact a law.
