Senate GOP join effort on ObamaCare abortion fix

Sen. Pat Roberts (Kan.) and 17 other Senate Republicans have proposed a bill that would require ObamaCare exchanges to make it clear which health insurance plans include abortion coverage.

The bill is a reaction to a GOP complaint that under the law, it’s not necessarily which exchange plans cover abortion, making it difficult for pro-life people to choose plans that are free of abortion coverage.

{mosads}”Americans have a right to know if a plan they are purchasing covers abortion,” Roberts said. “Millions of pro-life Americans oppose the use of their money to cover abortion services, but as current law is written, it is difficult to obtain information about which exchange plans provide such services.

“My bill further requires this information to be prominently disclosed so consumers can make informed, values-based decisions.”

The Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act, S. 1848, would require exchanges to disclose which plans offer abortion coverage, and requires them to reveal when “abortion surcharges” are being assessed in plans to cover abortion costs.

The bill is similar to one proposed in October from Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.). Smith’s bill allows a 90 day compliance period for health insurance exchanges, while Roberts’ bill allows only 30 days.

The Roberts bill is co-sponsored by Republicans Sens. John Barrasso (Wyo.), John Boozman (Ark.), Dan Coats (Ind.), Thad Cochran (Miss.), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), Chuck Grassley (Iowa), Orrin Hatch (Utah), James Inhofe (Okla.), Mike Johanns (Neb.), Mike Lee (Utah), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Rand Paul (Ky.), James Risch (Idaho), Marco Rubio (Fla.), John Thune (S.D.) and Roger Wicker (Miss.).