Abortion legislation making noise at state capitols

A host of abortion legislation proposals in state capitols around America -; ranging from requiring Colorado doctors with religious objections give patients notice to mandated insurance coverage of abortion in Washington -; are making news.

The Associated Press/Denver Post: Colo. Bill Requires Abortion Notice From Hospitals
Hospitals with religious objections to procedures such as abortions would have to tell patients in a special notice Colorado's Senate approved Friday. The measure was approved over vigorous objections from Senate Republicans, who called the notification bill a thinly veiled attempt to stigmatize religious hospitals. The bill, which requires one more procedural vote before it heads to the House, would require hospitals to tell patients that any service not provided because of religious beliefs or moral convictions can be obtained from another hospital (Wyatt, 2/24).

The Washington Post: Virginia Ultrasound Bill Joins Other States' Measures
Virginia officials backed off last week from requiring vaginal ultrasounds before abortions, but state legislators are still expected to pass a bill that mandates abdominal ultrasounds and adds other significant requirements for women seeking abortions (Sun, 2/26).

The Associated Press/The Seattle Times: State May Become First To Require Insurance To Cover Abortion
At a time when many states are making it harder for women to get abortions, Washington state appears headed in the opposite direction. Fifteen states have passed laws restricting insurers from covering abortions and 12 others are considering similar measures. By contrast, a bill that has passed Washington's House and is working its way through the Senate would make the state the first to require all health-insurance plans under its jurisdiction -; except those claiming a conscience-based exemption -; to include abortion coverage (Kaminsky, 2/26).

NPR: N.H. GOP Moves To Revise State's Contraception Law
New Hampshire, one of the least religious states in the nation, has become the latest front in the political battle over contraception. State GOP leaders oppose the new federal rule compelling insurers to provide birth control to employees of religious organizations. They want to change a 12-year-old state law that requires contraceptive coverage under insurers' prescription drug policies (Rogers, 2/24). 

Fox News: Gov. Brewer: I Think I Could Join On Contraception Mandate Lawsuit
Gov. Jan Brewer, R-Ariz., says she may be willing to add her state to the list of those suing the Obama administration over its contraceptive coverage mandate. "I actually haven't seen the lawsuit, but I think I could join in on a lawsuit," said Brewer during an interview with Fox News. Governor Brewer says she feels strongly about the issue because she believes in separation of church and state (Halpern, 2/25).