Texas Insurance Coverage for Abortion Ban (SB 20)

This law was last updated on Mar 27, 2017

State

Texas

Number

SB 20

Status

Proposed

Jan 6, 2017

Topics

Insurance Coverage

Full Bill Text

www.legis.state.tx.us

SB 20 would amend the Insurance Code to prohibit a qualified health plan offered through a health benefit exchange, as administered by the federal government or created under the Affordable Care Act, from providing coverage for an abortion unless the abortion is performed due to a medical emergency.

The bill does not prevent a person from purchasing optional or supplemental coverage for abortion under a health benefit plan other than a qualified health plan offered through a health benefit exchange.

A health benefit plan may provide coverage for abortion only if:

the coverage is provided to an enrollee separately from other health benefit plan coverage offered by the health benefit plan issuer;
an enrollee pays separately from, and in addition to, the premium for other health benefit plan coverage a premium for coverage for abortion;
an enrollee provides a signature for coverage for abortion, separately and distinct from the signature required for other health benefit plan coverage offered by the health benefit plan issuer; or
the coverage provides benefits only for an abortion performed due to a medical emergency.

Related Legislation

Companion bill to HB 1113.

Similar to SB 1872/HB 3130, and HB 1435/SB 575, all of which failed to pass in previous legislative sessions.

STATUS

Passed the senate on March 27, 2017, by a 21-10 vote.