Michigan to require separate abortion coverage on public and private policies

Dec 13 2013

The measure became law in an unusual way. 

The Associated Press: Michigan Puts Restrictions On Abortion Insurance
Michigan will join more conservative states in requiring residents who want health insurance coverage for abortions to buy an extra policy, after Republican legislators passed the law Wednesday over the objections of Democrats who pleaded for them to take the issue to voters instead. The citizens' initiative approved 62-47 by the House and 27-11 in the Senate -; almost entirely along party lines -; will become law in March without the signature of Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who vetoed similar legislation a year ago. The anti-abortion group Right to Life collected more than 300,000 signatures to put the legislation before lawmakers, who also had the option of letting it go to a statewide vote next November (Eggert, 12/11).

Detroit Free Press: Michigan Legislature OKs Initiative To Require Insurance Rider For Abortion Coverage
The initiative would require most private and all public health insurance plans to offer a separate rider for an abortion. And a person would have to buy that rider before knowing if they needed an abortion. They would not be able to buy the rider after getting pregnant by any means, including rape or incest. ... The measure passed despite emotionally debate that included highly personal stories from several women in the Legislature, including an admission by Democratic Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer that she was raped 20 years ago while she was in college (Gray, 12/11).