Trump-Pence Administration Takes Direct Aim at Abortion Access
For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2019
HHS “abortion segregation” rule may harm three million with coverage through ACA
Rule is part of administration efforts to take away access to sexual and reproductive health care
WASHINGTON — Today, the Trump-Pence administration directly attacked abortion access with a rule designed to make it much more difficult for health insurance plans to cover abortion under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) insurance Marketplaces. This rule will affect at least three million people across the country.
Statement from Jacqueline Ayers, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
“Nearly one in four women will have an abortion in her lifetime, yet, at a time when access to abortion is under concerted attack in states across the country, the Trump-Pence administration is trying to make safe, legal abortion even harder to access. This rule won’t just require separate payments, it further splits off abortion from other reproductive health care and puts up massive barriers to access. Everyone deserves reproductive health care coverage that meets their needs, including abortion, without shame or stigma. Planned Parenthood vehemently opposes this rule and will continue our work to stop the administration’s attacks on our health and rights.”
The HHS rule requires insurance companies that participate in the ACA Marketplaces for individual coverage to provide separate billing. That means people must submit a separate payment for abortion coverage. Not only could these burdensome administrative requirements lead some of these health insurance companies to drop coverage of abortion altogether, it could also cause people to lose coverage if they fail to follow the new requirements. While the Trump-Pence administration clearly wants to make abortion coverage unavailable, Planned Parenthood Federation of America hopes insurers will continue to offer the full range of reproductive health coverage that people need, including coverage for abortion. America’s Health Insurance Plans and other insurance groups oppose the rule.
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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.