Senators Continue Fight Against Michigan 'Rape Insurance' Law
LANSING (WWJ) -- House and Senate Democrats are looking to overturn Michigan's law enacted last March that requires women to purchase additional private health insurance coverage for abortions -- even in cases of rape and incest.
State Democratic Representative Sarah Roberts of St. Clair Shores co-sponsored a bill that would overturn the law.
"Leadership in the House and Senate on the Republican side could have said 'We're going to let the people decide' and they decided not to do that," Roberts said. "It's ultimately going to be their decision, too, whether they give us a hearing or the opportunity to vote on this."
Supporters of the law enacted last March, including Right to Life, contend that abortion -- even in the case of rape or incest -- is an "elective" procedure, and should be privately funded.
"This is not just about public dollars -- this is any health insurance plan cannot provide this coverage," Roberts said. "I would like to see an example of any other health related issue for men where they have to by a separate rider of insurance to meet their medical needs."
Diane Trombley, with Right to Life - Lifespan, helped get the measure passed.
"Those who oppose abortion do not want to have to pay for that procedure in a blanket coverage on an insurance policy," Trombley said. "The woman still has a right, in this state, to have an abortion -- the only thing she has to do is to undertake the expense to do it."
Both sides agree there is little chance the Republican-led legislature will even hear the bill, when they re-convene. But those opposed to the new law want to "keep up" public pressure on the issue.
"We've made a commitment to the women who contacted us that we were going to do something about this and the very first thing that we need to do is to fight to repeal this law," Roberts said.
