West Virginia Insurance Coverage for Abortion Ban (SB 22)

SB 22 would prohibit a qualified health plan offered through an exchange established by the state from including elective abortion coverage.

The bill defines “elective abortion” to be an abortion for any other reason other than:

• to prevent the death of the mother, provided that an abortion is not one to prevent the death of the mother based on a claim that or diagnosis that she will engage in conduct that will result in her death;
• the pregnancy is a result of sexual misconduct (rape) and the incident is reported to law enforcement within 48 hours; or
• the pregnancy is a result of incest, the mother is a minor, and the incident and perpetrator are reported to law enforcement within 48 hours.

The bill would authorize individuals to purchase supplemental coverage for elective abortions, but would require a separate premium to be paid for it.

STATUS

Similar to SB 236 and HB 2440, which failed to pass in 2015.

Similar to HB 4471 and SB 496, which failed to pass in 2014.

People