Maine Democrats Pushing for Taxpayer Funded Abortions

81 Democrats sign bill to require that Maine taxpayers pay for abortion services denied under federal law

STATEHOUSE – Eighty-one (81) Maine legislative Democrats have introduced a bill to require that Maine taxpayers to pay for abortion services denied under federal law. L.D. 820 “An Act To Prevent Discrimination in Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Pregnant Women in Maine.” The bill’s introduction comes after L.D. 20- An Act To Provide Coverage for Abortion Services for MaineCare Members was withdrawn by the Sponsor. 

“The extreme nature of this bill highlights the problem with one-party rule,” said Rep. Amy Arata (R-New Gloucester). “Requiring Maine taxpayers to pay for abortion services banned by federal law is too extreme even for many supporters of Roe v. Wade. House Republicans are urging everyone, especially Democrats, to express their opposition to L.D. 820. Only swift public reaction can stop it from becoming law.”

The 1977 federal Hyde Amendment bans state use of federal Medicaid dollars to pay for abortions unless the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or the abortion is “necessary to save the life of the woman.”

OFFICIAL BILL SUMMARY:

“This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide coverage to a MaineCare member for abortion services. The bill provides that abortion services that are not approved Medicaid services must be funded by the State. The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt rules no later than March 1, 2020.

The bill also requires that health insurance carriers that provide coverage for maternity services also provide coverage for abortion services. The bill applies this requirement to all health insurance policies and contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2020, except for those religious employers granted an exclusion of coverage. The bill authorizes the Superintendent of Insurance to grant an exemption from the requirements if enforcement of the requirements would adversely affect the allocation of federal funds to the State.”