Planned Parenthood Criticizes Congressional Efforts to Eliminate Insurance Coverage for Abortion Services  

WASHINGTON D.C. - Planned Parenthood condemns proposed legislation included in a market stabilization plan that goes far beyond current law to impose new abortion restrictions on private health plans. The Affordable Care Act already has restrictions that prohibit insurance companies from using cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) to pay for abortion services. This new legislation would essentially eliminate insurance coverage for abortion services completely. More specifically, the legislation would place new abortion restrictions on CSR and reinsurance payments that would result in a ban on private insurance coverage of abortion.

Statement from Dana Singiser, Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: 

This is unacceptable. Extreme lawmakers are trying to eliminate insurance coverage for abortion services entirely. The proposal introduced by congressional Republicans goes far beyond current law and imposes new abortion coverage restrictions on private health plans. Federal law already prevents federal funds from going to abortion services. These restrictions would ultimately make it impossible to purchase a private insurance plan that covers the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion.

The Nelson Amendment requires plans sold on the marketplaces that cover abortion to segregate a consumer’s payment to ensure that federal funds, namely tax credits and CSRs, are not used to pay for abortions except in the cases of life endangerment, rape, and incest. Even Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander has spoken out, saying that “existing prohibitions on federal funding of abortion” are sufficient.

These new restrictions would fundamentally change the ACA and devastate the private insurance market. This will coerce insurance plans into dropping abortion coverage in order to ensure that they continue to receive the CSR payments that help lower the costs of ACA marketplace plans for people with low incomes, and the reinsurance funds that aim to lower premiums and stabilize the health insurance markets.

### 

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.