ABORTION INSURANCE - The Texas House gave initial approval to a bill that would require women to pay a separate premium if they want their insurance to cover abortion. The bill only makes an exception for women who face a medical emergency as defined by the state. But opponents say the bill presents problems for women who face less serious medical issues, as well as victims of rape and incest. The bill’s sponsor Republican Representative John Smithee says the ban won’t completely stop women from getting abortion coverage if they really want it. He says it means women will have to pay for a supplementary plan on top of what they are already paying for their regular insurance plan. But opponents argue the bill has problems. Democrats offered several amendments aimed at adding exceptions for certain situations. That includes women who choose to end a pregnancy because of fetal abnormalities, among other things. Another amendment made exceptions for women struggling with mental health issues. And a measure introduced by Democratic Representative Chris Turner would have created an exception in cases of rape and incest. Turner says he thinks it’s wrong to force women to pay for what he called “rape insurance.”
