NARAL Pro-Choice Texas
Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) hijacked a bill that meant to improve operations at the Department of State Health Services with an amendment banning abortions after 20 weeks in fetuses with genetic abnormalities. The amendment passed despite objections from the bill's Republican author.
Texas legislators are debating a bill today that would prevent privately-purchased insurance plans from covering abortion.
That bill is proposed by Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, who says it will protect pro-life Texans from paying for abortion in the private market place and through the Affordable Care Act.
NARAL Pro-Choice Executive Director Heather Busby said politicians should not be able to veto medical procedures.
"All people in Texas should be free to purchase insurance plans that cover all needed procedures," Busby says in a press release. "No one is forcing anyone to have an abortion or subsidize an abortion through their insurance coverage, but when it is needed, it should not be denied."
On Wednesday, three bills that place more restrictions on abortion will be debated in a House committee.
Rep. Molly White (R-Belton) filed a bill that includes a 72-hour waiting period before victims of abuse can access abortion care; Rep. Ron Simmons' (R-Carrolton) proposal would publicize the names of judges who allow minors to access an abortion provider without parental consent; and Rep. Matt Schaefer (R-Tyler) filed legislation changing abortion clinic reporting requirements and adding a criminal penalty for doctors who don't fulfill those new requirements.
