Texas 'rape insurance' bill is about economic violence against women
By Dr. Eugene Gu, opinion contributor - 08/17/17 04:00 PM EDT Just this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that prohibits health insurance companies from covering elective abortions of any kind. This includes insurance plans on the ObamaCare exchanges and even private employer-based plans.
Proponents of House Bill 214 are hailing its passage as a victory for state taxpayers, who are no longer compelled to subsidize medical procedures that they may find morally objectionable. Lead author Rep. John Smithee (R-Texas) even called it an exercise in "economic freedom."
Lost in that line of reasoning, however, is the fundamental concern for a woman's most basic human rights. Smitheeās law purposefully does not make any exceptions for an elective abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or severe fetal abnormalities.
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http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/347004-texas-rape-insurance-bill-about-economic-violence-against-women